WRC Commemorates World Water Day

 

The theme for World Water Day 2006 (22 March) was “Water and Culture”. The WRC celebrated this day by hosting and organizing two events: one in Pietermaritzburg and one in Pretoria. The programme involved getting learners to conduct a mini SASS (South African Scoring System) test which will determine the “health” of a river or a stream.

 

The objective of the exercise was two-fold: to make learners aware of environmental issues, especially river health as well as enlightening learners about the various careers that are possible in the South African water sector, especially as far as biomonitoring is concerned.

 

In Pietermaritzburg, the Institute of Natural Resources (INR) assisted by providing a facilitator, Mr Ramogale Sekwele, who guided learners through the mini SASS test at a stream in the Botanical gardens, Pietermaritzburg. Dr Chris Dickens of the INR also addressed learners. Thereafter, Mr Mike Coke, demonstrated how fish act as indicators of river health. Learners participated actively and thoroughly enjoyed both the learning experience as well as the social networking involved. There certainly was a healthy merging of both the water as well as the cultural components. Learners were tasked with compiling a report which will be presented to the head of the Botanical Gardens in Pietermaritzburg, Mr Brian Tarr. The event was publicized in The Witness and broadcast on SABC radio.

 

In Pretoria, learners used the Mini-SASS scoring system to assess the Moreletaspruit, a highly urbanised stream. Learners were guided by Mr Piet Muller of the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, with the assistance of Ms Colleen Todd, Principal Scientist: Resource Quality Services at the Department of Water Affairs & Forestry.

 

The assessment, which concluded the fair to poor state of the stream, demonstrated the challenges faced by urban environmental managers with regard to increased stormwater runoff, sediment, and increased risk of pollution from industrial and domestic sewage as a result of increased development in the city.