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Thrust 3:
Water Resource Protection
Research in this thrust focuses on the generation of
information and understanding in order to improve water
quality management, with reference to point sources as
well as diffuse sources, and addressing chemical,
microbial, and biological pollution impacts on surface
water and groundwater. This thrust will also address
water resource protection from flow- reduction processes
as well as other physical processes such as sediment
accumulation.
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Programme 1: Protection and
management of surface water and groundwater
quality |
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Urban and
industrial activities expose groundwater and
surface water resources to a range of chemical and
microbiological pollutants. This programme
investigates the natural and anthropogenic
occurrences of hazardous constituents with the aim
of developing strategies to minimise the negative
impacts on groundwater and surface water
resources. The development of improved pollution
prevention, control, detection and remediation
strategies is essential for the effective
management of the water resources. The programme
addresses both point and non-point sources of
pollution, resulting from activities in the
subsurface and/or on the surface. More than 90% of
South Africa’s aquifers occur in fractured rock.
An improved understanding of the fate and
transport of pollutants in these fractured-rock
environments will be one of the main outcomes.
Sampling protocols will be developed for
radiogenic elements and non-aqueous phase liquids
(NAPLs) in these fractured-rock environments. |
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Programme 2: Urban and
rural water resource management |
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An integrated
approach to water resource planning and management
is essential to the sustainability of urban and
rural water resources. In many urban and rural
areas, water shortages stem from improper use and
degradation of the available water by pollution.
The outcomes of this programme will enhance the
capabilities of local authorities to protect their
resources in a sustainable manner through the
development of, among others, groundwater
protection zones and improved land-use planning.
Specific tools will be developed to facilitate the
management of these resources. |
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Programme 3: Integrated
river flow and catchment hydraulics |
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Research in this
programme is focused on establishing and
maintaining high-quality river flows, reduction
and mitigation of river degradation which is
caused by river hydraulic processes such as
damaging flow regimes, sediment transportation and
deposition. The programme will also integrate
improved catchment management as part of a
holistic strategy for the protection of
groundwater and surface water resources. The
programme will seek to establish processes and
practices that will ensure minimum disruptions to
natural water flow regimes especially low flows
which usually result in periods of critical water
constraints in river systems. The groundwater and
surface water processes which are associated with
the critical flow regimes are also investigated in
this programme. |
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KSA 1: Water Resource Management