Concerned about the health of our rivers
River pollution remains one of the biggest challenges in South African water resources. Rivers can be polluted by industries, human beings, agricultural practices, etc. The Department of Water Affairs, in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Affairs and the Water Research Commission (WRC), co-hosted an event under the theme Adopt-a-River which is part of the River Health Programme (RHP) that was started in 1994. The event took place in Stellenbosch on 17 March 2010 in the Eerste River which is fed by two tributaries, Kuilsriver and Plankenberg highly polluted by sewage from informal settlements, industries and agricultural practices along its banks.
The Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, launched the Adopt-a-River Programme at the Spier Conference Centre, next to the Eerste River, in Stellenbosch Local Municipality within the Cape Winelands District Municipality, Western Cape. The launch was part of the National Water Week 2010 events. It was combined with the launch of a march under the theme ‘Walk for Water’, a communication campaign to raise awareness of conservation and protection of our scarce water resources.
“The River Health Programme is a nation-wide monitoring initiative for assessing the health of rivers in the country. It is a component of the National Aquatic Ecosystem Health Monitoring Programme (NAEHMP)’ says Bonani Madikizela, Research Manager, and Water–Linked Ecosystems, at the WRC. The objective of the Adopt-a-River Programme is to create awareness among South Africans to care for our scarce water resources and to actively participate in their protection and management.
Interest in the programme was also sparked by a Parliamentary question about whether our rivers were healthy and fit for use. Some members of Parliament volunteered to adopt a river and serve as patrons for those rivers, as sign of their own commitment in protecting the health of our rivers.
The march was a 500 m walk from the conference centre to the banks of the Eerste River, where MiniSASS (South African Scoring System) demonstrations were done. The miniSASS is a scientific tool used to monitor the health of a river and measure the general quality of the water in that river. The MiniSASS scientific tool was produced through WRC-funded research, working hand-in-hand with DWA as national implementers and coordinators of the programme. The WRC lead the development of MiniSASS equivalent tools for voluntary monitoring of wetlands and dams during the 2010/11 financial year.
The event was attended by local farmers, communities, politicians and school learners. After taking samples from the Eerste River, the Deputy Minister and the Executive mayor, Nompumelelo Hani demonstrated to the participants the use of the MiniSASS to score the quality of water.
The event ended with a commitment made by the Winelands District Municipality’s Executive Mayor, Nompumelelo Hani to adopt the Eerste River and set an example for other neighbouring rivers.''If the councillors do not keep their promises they can be taken to court ''says the Deputy Minister, Rejoice Mabudafhasi.
For more information contact:
Bonani Madikizela:Research Manager– Water-linked Ecosystems
Email: bonanim@wrc.org.za
Tel: +012 330 9021
Cell: +083 290 7238