Water Wise Watch - October 2024
02.10.24
Our rivers: Each One, Protect One
Management of Invasive Alien Plants
The sun is finally out, with warmer temperatures finally settling in. The need to be out on the water has increased – our rivers, dams and lakes that afford us this comfort all too often are suffering a silent killer, invasive alien plants (IAP). Important water resources like the Vaal River and many other important dams like Hartebeesport Dam, have been heavily impacted by the prevalence of IAP’s such as water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) and water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes). These are plants that do not originate in South Africa and are introduced, resulting in increased competition with indigenous species. Dispersal of these plants is mainly via stolons which produce clones commonly referred to as daughter plants. The IAPs also produce multiple seeds where these seeds can disperse through water bodies through wind movement of parent plants, boats/watercrafts, people fishing and wildlife migration (e.g. birds). The seeds can withstand cold conditions and remain dormant for several years, they will germinate in waterbodies with suitable temperatures, light penetration and a high nutrient load (e.g., Phosphates) emanating from pollution.
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.
Step into spring gardening the water wise way
A water-wise landscape garden not only saves water but also produces a beautiful, sustainable garden that requires less maintenance. You can create a vibrant and environmentally friendly garden by using a careful plant selection, soil management, and efficient irrigation methods. Here's some ideas of how to plan a water-wise landscape garden for spring:
Improve Soil for Better Water Retention
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.
Install a Rainwater Harvesting System
- Rain Barrels: Collect and store rainwater from your roof gutters for future garden irrigation. Rainwater is free, renewable, and perfect for watering your plants.
Choose Permeable Hardscaping Materials
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:
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:
Recently, water outages have intensified across Gauteng and the country as a whole, consequently due to an imbalance in supply and demand. In Gauteng, with the onset of the warmer seasons and subsequent higher temperatures, these are set to only intensify. Furthermore, with the completion of the second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project scheduled only for 2028, the ever-growing population in Gauteng will continue to drive the imbalance between supply and demand.
As a response, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) alongside Rand Water (RW) and the metropolitan municipalities (i.e. City of, Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg and Tshwane) have established a multi-stakeholder Platform for a Water Secure Gauteng (PWSG) that seeks to involve the public and private sectors alongside civil society towards increased water conservation efforts. One such initiative of the PWSG is the dashboard (accessible on this link: https://www.dws.gov.za/Documents/2024-09%20Gauteng%20Dashboard%20(002)rev%20(1).pdf) which seeks to improve customer communication and awareness on the state of water in the province.
Don’t let it drip, fix it!
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?
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?
For information on water outages and to report leaks:
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
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
|
|
“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…”
|
 |
|
"The solution is not to expand or build more landfills but rather to focus on recycling, say waste management experts.."
|
 |
|
"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...."
|
 |
Click on the links below to access our social media pages for more on water and environmental news and issues. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Website |
