Assessment of concentration levels of contaminants in groundwater of the Soutpansberg region, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Groundwater contributions towards improved food security and human health depend on the level of contaminants in groundwater resources. Many people in rural areas use groundwater for drinking purposes without treatment and knowledge of contaminant levels in such waters, owing to parachute research in which research outputs are not shared with communities. This study argues that parachute research exposes groundwater users to health hazards and threatens the food security of communities. Concentration levels of contaminants were measured to ascertain suitability of groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes. A total of 124 groundwater quality samples from 12 boreholes and 2 springs with physiochemical data from 1995 to 2017 were assessed. This study found high concentration levels of contaminants, such as F, NO3 , Cl, and total dissolved solids, in certain parts of the studied area. In general, groundwater was deemed suitable for drinking purposes in most parts of the studied area

Characterisation of hydro-geochemical processes influencing groundwater quality in rural areas: A case study of Soutpansberg region, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Groundwater is often the main or only source of fresh water supply in arid to semi-arid rural areas owing to decreasing rainfall patterns, reduced availability of surface water and socioeconomic activities. It is important to understand the hydro-geochemical processes influencing groundwater quality for improved management and sustainability of resources and to improve rural livelihoods. To understand the hydro-geochemical process influencing the hydro-geochemistry of the Soutpansberg region, this study assessed groundwater quality data from 12 boreholes and 2 geothermal springs collected between 1995 and 2017

Assessment of microbial contamination of groundwater in upper Limphasa River catchment, located in a rural area of northern Malawi

In rural Africa, scientific evidence is often lacking to guide the scaling-up of groundwater as the safest source of potable water. An investigation was conducted in the Upper Limphasa Catchment in northern Malawi to determine the safety of groundwater sources and to explore factors influencing water quality. Water samples from 17 boreholes, 6 hand-dug wells and 90 households were analysed for selected parameters. Portable incubators, multi-parameter probe and colorimetric standard methods were used for field measurements, and standard methods were used for laboratory water analysis. Results were compared to specified guidelines of the World Health Organization and Malawi Bureau of Standards to establish the potability of water. Statistical results using non-parametric t-tests indicated that the wells were more contaminated with E. coli bacteria than boreholes (p=6.2x10-6), suggesting non-consideration of local hydrogeologic factors in groundwater development. Water from boreholes that tested negative for pathogens at source tested positive at some households (total coliform: p=0.0042 and E. coli p=7.8x10-7) suggesting the effect of handling practices. Water from wells that was not treated with chlorine showed higher levels of E. coli than treated water from the same sources, confirming the effectiveness of chlorine in reducing pathogenic bacteria in households’ stored drinking-water, reinforcing the scientific basis for scaling up chlorine as effective disinfectant. However, this study demonstrated that chlorine failed to effectively eliminate all pathogens in drinking water. As a case study in tropical rural environments in Africa, these findings on the suitability of using chlorine as disinfectant and on factors explaining groundwater contamination, though provisional, provide a scientific basis for assessing cost-effectiveness and sustainability of scaling-up the use of chlorine as a curative remedy and of systematically investigating local hydrogeologic factors in order to implement measures to protect groundwater quality in poverty-prone rural communities.Web of Scienc

Analysis of the fragmented legal regime pertaining to rehabilitation measures for wetlands: A South African perspective – part 1

Wetlands are disappearing and it is an international dilemma. Many efforts have been made to ensure its protection and conservation, including rehabilitation. Rehabilitation measures have been adopted in policies of various jurisdictions. In South Africa, the wetlands legislative framework is fragmented. It was submitted that a wetlands policy is in the pipeline for South Africa. As opposed to the research on the general protection of this resources, Part 1 of this research aimed, by way of a documentary analysis of the legislative wetland framework, journal articles, books and case law, to provide what the extent of the fragmentation, specifically, rehabilitation measures were, as well as the effect thereof. Part 2 of this research explicitly focused on rehabilitation measures taken by three other jurisdictions, as well as a design for such in South Africa’s envisaged policy

Scenarios analysis using water-sensitive urban design principles: A case study of the Cape Flats Aquifer in South Africa

A feasibility assessment was undertaken on the application ofwater-sensitive urban design (WSUD) for the Cape Flats Aquifer in Cape Town, South Africa, at the local scale. The study contributes towards the planning of water-sensitive cities in the future. A three-dimensional steady-state groundwater flow model was applied to the Cape Flats Aquifer to predict WSUD scenarios by incorporating managed aquifer recharge (MAR). Analysis of the scenarios of varying recharge estimates and groundwater abstraction rates, predicted using the model, indicated that the water-table distribution and outflows from identified groundwater balance components show direct proportionality to the varying recharge scenarios. A notable increase in these outflows was observed when the recharge rate was increased by 50%. Varying groundwater abstraction scenarios indicated that with increasing abstraction rates, water levels and outflows fromgroundwater balance components also decreased accordingly. A notable decline in water levels and outflows was established at an abstraction rate of 2.5 and 5 L/s, respectively. Similar to the previous regional studies in the area, the results from the predicted scenarios show that there is a potential for applying WSUD, particularly MAR, at site-specific scale within the Cape Flats Aquifer. However, shallow groundwater levels during wet seasons limit the opportunities for application of WSUD in the area. This finding would provide an important reference to the ongoing debate on the Cape Town water crisis and similar environmental conditions where WSUD is considered

Policy implementation for water resources protection: Assessing spatio-temporal trends of results from process-based outcomes of resource-directed measures projects in South Africa

Governments are continuously developing strategies for policy implementation toward water resource protection. However, little is known about the practical application of such plans to test their effectiveness in policy practice. This study focused on resource-directed measures (RDMs) in South Africa to assess progress made on policy implementation for water resource protection. The study included document surveys and content analysis of the publicly available reports and documents sourced from state departments and government websites. The findings of the study indicated that water resource-directed measures are used as policy implementation strategies for water resource protection in the country. Furthermore, the study revealed that significant progress has been made in this regard, when a multi-sectorial policy implementation practice approach through public-private partnerships ensured that 69% of the catchments have process-based RDM projects completed, while 18% are in progress, and only 13% are outstanding

Assessing the role of water resources protection practice for sustainable water resources management: A review

Water resource protection is central to sustainable water supply management for human wellbeing and for the ecological ecosystem to flourish. This review paper focuses on highlighting the role of groundwater and surface water protection practice to improve their sustainable utilization in South Africa. Using an integrative approach, this paper initially reflects on the history of water resources utilization, and it examines what is understood by the term “water resources protection”. This review paper then continues by providing an analysis of the current practice at global and local levels. The study found evidence of water resource utilization in the ancient times with limited challenges despite unavailability of regulation mechanisms. However, in recent times water resource availability challenges linked to water availability and water quality deterioration are evident globally despite having policies and regulation in place

Feasibility assessment of the application of groundwater remediation techniques in rural areas: A case study of rural areas in the Soutpansberg region, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Groundwater contribution towards human health and livelihood depends on the contaminants level in groundwater. Many people in rural communities are being exposed to waterborne diseases resulting from drinking untreated contaminated groundwater. This study argues that the lack of implementation of available groundwater remediation methods and associated high costs are exposing rural communities to health risks. This study assessed 22 years of groundwater quality data from 12 boreholes and 2 springs to understand the contaminants level in the Soutpansberg region. A feasibility assessment of the application and design of a sustainable groundwater remediation technique was carried out based on individual- and community-based groundwater remediation types

Hydrogeochemical characteristics and evaluation of groundwater quality for domestic and irrigation purposes: A case study of the Heuningnes Catchment, Western Cape Province, South Africa

Knowing the quality of water is imperative if the water is meant for drinking or agricultural purposes. The spatial and temporal groundwater quality in the Heuningnes Catchment was investigated, and its appropriateness for irrigation and drinking purposes was considered. Thirty-one samples were collected and analysed for physical (pH, EC, TDS) and chemical (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3 −, Cl−, SO4 2−) parameters. Maps demonstrating the spatial and temporal distribution of groundwater quality were constructed using Geographical Information System software. These maps indicate variations in the concentration of various water quality parameters in the region. Groundwater in the region is mostly alkaline and is categorised as either fresh, brackish or saline based on TDS classifcation. Using Piper diagrams, it is shown that Na+–Cl− water type is the main water type in the area. The quality is mostly infuenced by chemical weathering of rockforming minerals. Over 50% of groundwater in the region is not ft for drinking purposes as established from WHO (2011) and SANS241 criteria. Following SAR criteria, looking at Na%, PI, MH, KR and salinity hazard for irrigation assessment, it was discovered that shallow groundwater in the region was not ft for irrigation purposes. However, groundwater from deeper boreholes proved otherwise. The study has shown that not all-available groundwater is suitable for either drinking or irrigation

GIS-based modelling of climate variability impacts on groundwater quality: Cape Flats aquifer, Cape Town, South Africa

The need to improve groundwater security remains critical, especially in urban areas where demand for groundwater as an alternative source of water supply is increasing following unprecedented population growth. Climate change continues to threaten groundwater resources in such areas. This study assessed and analysed data from a variety of sources that required holistic analytical tools to demonstrate the impacts of climate change on groundwater quality at the local level. We evaluated how climate conditions affect groundwater quality using a hydrological model (WaterWorld model) in a GIS context. The Cape Flats Aquifer in the city of Cape Town in South Africa was chosen as a case study. The WaterWorld model was used to calculate hydrologic scenarios based on climate change factors and groundwater quality parameters for the period 1950–2000. Mean annual precipitation and temperature were simulated using the multi-model mean and Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 for the years 2041–2060