Challenges of Integrated Water Resources Management in the Western Cape Province, South Africa
Ntokozo Malaza,
Azwihangwisi Irene Mabuda
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 2, April 2019
Pages:
9-20
Received:
3 September 2018
Accepted:
18 September 2018
Published:
5 June 2019
Abstract: The increased demand for water and land in South Africa, in particular the Western Cape Province as a consequence of population growth, climate change and economic development has reportedly been accelerated from year to year. The province has been adhering to the Intergrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) which was developed in the Water Indaba of 2009 in order to respond to the joint National and Provincial action towards managing the water resources in the Western Cape Province. At the same time, there is growing empirical evidence that challenges the scientific consensus and the practical implications of implementing IWRM provincially and nationally, although the nature of the implementation challenges may differ in different contexts. Against this background, this paper investigates the nature of the practical challenges to implementing water resource management in the Western Cape region. The study reviewed existing literature on the various issues of IWRM in South Africa; the various basins in the country; the existing measures that the authorities have in place to deal with water resources management issues; the challenges that hinder the progress of their achievements and some suggestions that if considered can improve the current water resources management situations in South Africa. The availability of water and a broader range of water-related issues are identified. The recommended actions for improving the future IWRM are suggested. Challenges to improve the capacity buildings of IWRM related to enabling environment, institutional frameworks and management instruments are verified to contribute to the future directions for efficient problem-solving ability.
Abstract: The increased demand for water and land in South Africa, in particular the Western Cape Province as a consequence of population growth, climate change and economic development has reportedly been accelerated from year to year. The province has been adhering to the Intergrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) which was developed in the Water Indaba...
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Aspects on Anaerobic Digestion of Municipal Sludge, Some Aspects on its Sustainability and Possible Enhancements
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 2, April 2019
Pages:
21-27
Received:
8 April 2019
Accepted:
23 May 2019
Published:
10 June 2019
Abstract: The anaerobic treatment of organic rich pollutants has a very long history within the water industry. Two major applications have been used: Treating sludge streams from midsized and large wastewater treatment plants and for industrial wastewater streams containing high concentrations of organic carbon. This paper presents the status of anaerobic digestion of sludge streams in municipal wastewater. The paper highlights both the potentials and limitations of the technology. Further the alternative or complementing HTC-technology is presented and analyzed. The constraints, limitations and options for the reuse of processed municipal sludge is accordingly pointed out. Our usage of water is found more and more complex, along with the addition of a number of synthetic agents, such as pharmaceuticals and other complex polluting agents we find that the traditionally acknowledged sludge treatment stabilization methods are not sufficient. The paper points out that the anaerobic digestion may be combined with for instance the HTC-process. In a longer perspective the HTC may even replace the current anaerobic digestion. However, the HTC-technology will raise further interesting questions: The important points that need further investigations are inter alia: 1) To further clarify the quality of reject water from the hydrochar, with respect to rest pollutants. 2) To evaluate to what extent the HTC process may become a feasible way to disintegrate pharmaceutical remains found in municipal sludge. 3) How to further enhance the ways to recover raw materials from the hydrochar, such as phosphorus and carbon. Nethertheless, the process may allow for some very promising pathways within the future municipal sludge management.
Abstract: The anaerobic treatment of organic rich pollutants has a very long history within the water industry. Two major applications have been used: Treating sludge streams from midsized and large wastewater treatment plants and for industrial wastewater streams containing high concentrations of organic carbon. This paper presents the status of anaerobic d...
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