Fresh Water | savingwater.co.za

Water crisis has past eleventh hour

Posted by: Saving Water SA (Cape Town, South Africa) – partnered with Water Rhapsody conservation systems – 25 November 2010

The country’s water crisis is past the eleventh hour as red-tape and interdepartmental bureaucracy remain major stumbling blocks to addressing the problem, trade union United Association of SA (UASA) said on Wednesday.

“Since March this year, it has taken the trade union UASA three well-publicised high-level seminars, an authoritative impact study, numerous meetings and a Section 77 application at Nedlac (National Economic Development and Labour Council) to bring home the message that South Africa is facing a gigantic water crisis,” the union said in a statement.

The union said its water security crusade, labelled “H2O 4 Life”, has “awakened” government, organised business and others to the harsh reality that acid mine drainage and the dumping of sewage and industrial pollutants in “meagre” sources of fresh water were threatening the country. Continue reading Water crisis has past eleventh hour

Quinera River opens its mouth to the sea

Posted by: Saving Water SA (Cape Town, South Africa) – partnered with Water Rhapsody conservation systems – 03 November 2010

For the first time in years the Quinera River at Bonza Bay has flowed into the sea, and although environmentalists are concerned about claims of people helping nature along, locals are happy the mouth has opened.

Quinera River flows to the sea. Photo: Alan Eason

While some residents say the recent heavy rains caused the river to flow into the sea, others claim a trench was dug.

“I think it is awesome that the river opened up because all the bottles and dirt from the river have been washed away,” said resident Antoinette Faye, who runs a kiosk at Bonza Bay. The river started opening up last week on Thursday, she added.

She could not confirm if this was caused by nature entirely, but said the heavy rains resulted in an overflow that covered the boardwalk.

“It went up by about half a metre on the boardwalk in the deepest section for about two to three days. People were dodging eels because they thought they were sea snakes,” said Faye.

“I think it’s a good thing. It needed to open up because of all the sewage and dirt , which needed to be washed out,” said Beacon Bay resident Judy Sanan.

Dan Nel, who fishes at Bonza Bay frequently, said the last time the river opened up was about two years ago. Continue reading Quinera River opens its mouth to the sea

Fresh water crisis within 5 years

Posted by: Saving Water SA (Cape Town, South Africa) – partnered with Water Rhapsody conservation systems – 28 September 2010

The Environment and Conservation Association said in a statement on Tuesday that it was estimated that in five years, almost 80 percent of the country’s fresh water resources would be so badly polluted that [...]

Recycled wastewater can benefit farmers and environment

Posted by: Saving Water SA (Cape Town, South Africa) – partnered with Water Rhapsody conservation systems – 11 September 2010

Wastewater used for irrigation - Dakar, Senegal

Recycling urban wastewater and using it to grow food crops can help mitigate water scarcity problems and reduce water pollution, but the practice is not being as widely implemented as it should, according to a new FAO report.

Use of reclaimed wastewater in agriculture has been reported in around 50 countries on what amounts to 10 percent of the world’s irrigated land, according to “The Wealth of Waste: The Economics of Wastewater Use in Agriculture,” published today at the start of World Water Week (Stockholm, 5-11 September).

While on a global scale only a small proportion of treated wastewater is used for agriculture, the practice is winning increased attention worldwide and in a few countries — Spain and Mexico, for example — a high proportion of reclaimed water is used in irrigation.

“The case studies in this report show that safely harnessing wastewater for food production can offer a way to mitigate competition between cities and agriculture for water in regions of growing water scarcity,” said Pasquale Steduto, Deputy Director of FAO’s Land and Water Division. “In the right settings, it can also help to deal with urban wastewater effluent and downstream pollution.”

Farmers would also be able to avoid some of the costs of pumping groundwater, while the presence of nutrients in the wastewater would reduce their fertilizer expenses.

“Properly treated and safely recycled water can potentially offer a ‘triple dividend’ to urban users, farmers and the environment,” said Steduto. Continue reading Recycled wastewater can benefit farmers and environment

Climate Change and Energy Week

Posted by: Yes Solar Cape (Cape Town, South Africa) – 16 August 2010

Issued by: Communication Department City of Cape Town

The City of Cape Town’s Environmental Resource Management, Disaster Risk Management and Electricity Services Departments will be hosting a Climate Change and Energy Week from 16 to 19 August 2010. The focus will [...]

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Water crisis has past eleventh hour

Quinera River opens its mouth to the sea

Fresh water crisis within 5 years

Recycled wastewater can benefit farmers and environment

Climate Change and Energy Week

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