Water Wise Watch - October 2024
02.10.24
Our rivers: Each One, Protect One
How can we lend a hand towards protecting over water resources?
- Practicing the clean, drain and dry method for boats or watercrafts and fishing gear before moving them between water bodies:
- Avoid boating through mats of IAPs to minimize their fragmentation and spread.
- Clean any plant fragments or seeds from your boat, trailer and gear before leaving a water body.
- Drain all the water from your boat, trailer or gear before leaving a water body.
- Dry your boat, gear or trailer after utilization.
- Never dispose non-indigenous plants in any waterbody. Instead dispose by composting or sealing them in a plastic bag for disposal.
- Undertake small scale physical removal/extraction by raking or seining as soon as these infest an area to prevent spreading into other areas. Removed plants should be composted no less than 100m from the water course.
- Although Invasive Alien Species (IAS) (e.g. water hyacinth) are effective in cleaning waterbodies in their indigenous habitats by removing algae, trace toxic metals and other organic impurities in wastewater, they should not be introduced into private dams or ponds for this purpose. Doing so may result in the future spread/reintroduction of these IAPs into nearby waterbodies
Source:
Mail&Guardian
The Nature Conservancy
The 7th of September 2024 marked an important day for the Vaal River Barrage in which scores of people in watercrafts and boats officially welcomed the boating season, starting in September. This event was to commemorate the beauty of the river, in celebration of all the efforts employed in controlling and managing the spread of alien invasive species at the Vaal River – water lettuce and water hyacinth. Rand Water’s Water Wise, alongside the Department of Water & Sanitation and Rhodes University’s Centre for Biological Control exhibited on the day at Stonehaven on Vaal, shining light on the role that biological control plays in controlling these plants, as well as the interventions that have been employed to ensure coverage was lower than 1-hectare from a staggering 397-hectares, in April 2024. Children and adults alike enjoyed the displays and activities that shone light on the importance of each individual playing an active role in containing the spread.
Improve Soil for Better Water Retention
- Compost and Organic Matter: To improve the soil's ability to retain water, add organic matter such as compost. Healthy soil retains moisture longer, requiring less frequent watering.
- Mulching: To insulate the soil, prevent evaporation, and suppress weeds, spread a thick layer of organic mulch (such as wood chips or bark) around plants. This keeps the soil moist for a longer period of time between watering.
- Rain Barrels: Collect and store rainwater from your roof gutters for future garden irrigation. Rainwater is free, renewable, and perfect for watering your plants.
For walkways and patios, use permeable materials such as gravel, flagstone, or brick set in sand, which allow water to percolate into the ground and reduce runoff while increasing infiltration.
Source:
The figure below, adapted from the PWSG dashboard, illustrates the state of leaks in the various metros (as at end Sept 2024). All too often, active leak detection in the household is overlooked. However, minute leaks can compound over time, leading to a myriad of issues. Most importantly, they can cause significant water wastage, driving up utility bills and contributing to water insecurity. So why not dedicate a day in a month to check the state of your hardware in the household?
JHB: https://www.johannesburgwater.co.za/emergencies/
CoE: https://www.ekurhuleni.gov.za/for-me/report-it/
CoT: https://www.tshwane.gov.za/?page_id=953
Or call:
JHB: 0860-JOBURG
CoE: 0860 543 000Or Via My CoE App
CoT: 080 111 1556 or whatsapp087 153 1001
Or find outage updates on X:
JHB: https://x.com/JHBWater
CoE: https://x.com/CoE_Call_Centre
CoT: https://x.com/CityTshwane
2 October: Energy Efficiency Day 4 October: World Animal Day 23 October: Sustainability Day 24 October: International Day of Climate Action
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“This was achieved through a partnership involving the Vaal community, Rand Water, Rhodes University’s Centre for Biological Control, the water and sanitation department and the department of forestry, fisheries and the environment…”
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"The solution is not to expand or build more landfills but rather to focus on recycling, say waste management experts.."
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"Water scarcity is a pressing issue in South Africa, a country characterized by its arid climate and limited freshwater resources. The implementation of water storage tanks has become a vital component in the nation's efforts to manage and conserve water...."
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