Water Pollution In Sa: A Growing Crisis

Water pollution is a global issue, and South Africa is no exception. The country faces a deepening water scarcity crisis, driven by both physical and economic factors. South Africa's water scarcity is exacerbated by an increase in pollutant fluxes into river systems, caused by urbanisation, deforestation, destruction of wetlands, industry, mining, agriculture, energy use, and accidental water pollution. This has resulted in reduced available water resources and a lack of access to safe drinking water for many communities. Coal mining and coal-fired power stations, in particular, have been identified as significant contributors to water pollution in South Africa, with toxic by-products and excessive water usage further straining water resources. The problem of water pollution in South Africa has wide-ranging impacts, including health, education, gender equity, and economic development issues.

Why is water pollution a problem in South Africa?

Coal mining and fracking

South Africa is a water-scarce country, with most of its population lacking access to safe drinking water. The country's water crisis is driven by climatic conditions, escalating water demands, and pollution.

The discharge from coal mines pollutes groundwater and surface water with iron and other toxic chemicals, turning the water orange and staining rocks and plants. This pollution can persist long after mining has stopped, as seen in some parts of the USA where rivers and streams remain bright orange due to abandoned mines. Acidic mine drainage, with a low pH, can contaminate water sources and harm ecosystems.

Fracking, or shale gas mining, also uses a significant amount of water, putting additional strain on South Africa's already limited water resources. The complex inter-governmental system in South Africa poses challenges in regulating the industry and addressing its environmental impacts, particularly on underground water systems.

Overall, coal mining and fracking contribute to water pollution and scarcity in South Africa, impacting the health and well-being of local communities and ecosystems. Addressing these issues requires a coordinated response from various levels of government and industry.

Poor infrastructure and maintenance

South Africa is a water-scarce country, with physical and economic factors contributing to this scarcity. One of the key economic factors is poor infrastructure and maintenance, which results in water losses and decreased water quality. This is caused by a lack of investment in water treatment and distribution systems, as well as a lack of human capacity to satisfy the demand for water.

The Western Cape, including Cape Town, has experienced significant population growth, with a 79% increase between 1995 and 2018. However, the dam storage capacity has only increased by about 15% during the same period. This localised population growth, coupled with profligate water use, has resulted in gross imbalances between water demand and supply. The average water consumption per person per day in South Africa is 237 litres, well above the world average of 173 litres.

In addition to population growth and increased water demand, water scarcity in South Africa is exacerbated by pollution. Water pollution is caused by various factors, including urbanisation, deforestation, destruction of wetlands, industry, mining, agriculture, energy use, and accidental water pollution. These factors lead to a major increase in pollutant fluxes into river systems, reducing the available water resources.

The poor state of water-related municipal infrastructure due to a lack of maintenance and investment has resulted in decreased water quality levels at the source. For example, the water from the washing station near the MNS Informal Settlement in Mpumalanga is claimed to be purified and drinkable by the mines, but it contains visible particles of metal and coal. This has forced community members to spend their limited income on bottled drinking water, contributing to plastic pollution.

Furthermore, coal plants in South Africa require a direct use of water at every step of their supply chain, from extraction and preparation to incineration and pollution control. Eskom, a coal-fired power station, uses just over 10,000 litres of water per second, the same amount a single person would use in one year. The use of water in coal plants reduces the available water resources for the population, further exacerbating the water scarcity issue.

Population growth

South Africa's history of apartheid geospatial planning has resulted in inadequate water supply and sanitation services in many rural areas. The rapid population growth in these regions further exacerbates the problem. For instance, Cape Town's population grew by 79% between 1995 and 2018, while the dam storage capacity increased by only about 15%, leading to a gross imbalance between water demand and supply.

Furthermore, population growth in urban areas contributes to pollution through industrial activities and waste disposal practices. Electronic waste, for example, can leach harmful substances into the groundwater and waterways. As the population grows, the proper management of waste and the treatment of wastewater become increasingly challenging, further degrading water quality.

The correlation between population growth and water pollution is evident in studies conducted on rivers like the Kelani River in Sri Lanka. These studies show that as the population in watershed areas increases, the water quality deteriorates due to increased pollution levels.

Addressing population growth through family planning programs and women's health education can help slow down population growth rates and, consequently, reduce the demand for water. Additionally, implementing sustainable practices in agriculture and industry can help mitigate the impact of population growth on water pollution.

Climate change

South Africa is facing a pressing issue: the impact of climate change on its water resources. As temperatures rise, rainfall patterns shift, and evaporation rates increase, the country is experiencing challenges such as droughts, water scarcity, and increased evaporation rates from its water bodies.

South Africa relies heavily on surface water, with major dams serving as the primary source of freshwater. However, these dams are experiencing significant decreases in water levels, posing concerns over water availability. For example, the Vaal Dam, a crucial water source for the Gauteng province, has dropped below 30% capacity due to prolonged droughts and reduced rainfall exacerbated by climate change.

The impact of rising temperatures and increased evaporation is also evident in the shrinking levels of other major dams across South Africa, such as the Theewaterskloof Dam in the Western Cape. The declining water levels in these dams affect water availability for domestic and agricultural use and threaten the biodiversity that depends on these ecosystems.

Additionally, South Africa's groundwater resources are affected by declining groundwater levels due to increased extraction rates and saltwater intrusion in coastal areas. These factors further contribute to water scarcity and pose a threat to the country's overall water security.

The combination of reduced rainfall, increased evaporation rates, and the impact on both surface and groundwater sources puts immense pressure on South Africa's water resources, with climate change being a key driver. As a result, local communities are struggling to cope with water stress, and the country is facing a significant water crisis.

Industrial and agricultural wastewater

South Africa is considered a water-scarce country, with water scarcity driven by climatic conditions and escalating water demands. The scarcity of freshwater in South Africa is exacerbated by a major increase in pollutant fluxes into river systems, caused by urbanisation, deforestation, destruction of wetlands, industry, mining, agriculture, energy use, and accidental water pollution.

Agricultural wastewater is primarily the excess water that runs off the field during surface irrigation. This wastewater is also referred to as irrigation tailwater. In very large agricultural regions, the cumulative flow of tailwater from many farms has historically posed significant environmental problems as it was discharged into wetlands, streams, rivers, and oceans. This discharge contains salts, nutrients, pesticides, herbicides, and other agricultural chemicals from the fields. The collection and treatment of tailwater from farms is a beneficial solution for farmers and the environment, although short-term profit often prevents this solution from being implemented.

Agricultural waste can also be used as an external carbon source for wastewater treatment. Agricultural wastes such as corn cob, wheat straw, sawdust, and walnut shells can be used to enhance the removal of nitrogen in wastewater.

Industrial wastewater is also a major contributor to water pollution in South Africa. Chemical dumping from industrial sectors is one of the main causes of eutrophication of water. The transportation and storage of oil and its derivatives are also subject to leakage that pollutes water resources.

Water pollution has severe consequences for human health and the economy. The World Health Organization estimates that about 2 billion people have no option but to drink water contaminated by excrement, exposing them to diseases such as cholera, hepatitis A, and dysentery. Contaminated water also harms the economy, with a reduction in GDP of up to a third in affected regions.

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