From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley:

An increase in intergovernmental commitment and stakeholder coordination is required to mitigate the ongoing pollution that plagues the Hartbeespoort dam and other polluted dams and rivers across South Africa. Natasha Odendaal has the story.

Natasha Odendaal:

From biological remediation and piloting nanobubble technology, Magalies Water has, over the past two years, progressed its three-year rehabilitation programme to mitigate the persistent hyacinth and algae currently overwhelming the Hartbeespoort dam.

The ongoing pollution, which is feeding these invasive plants, has mostly been attributed to rapid urbanisation that has led to increased solid waste and wastewater discharges entering the upstream of the dam from the municipal wastewater treatment works.

While progress has been made, more needs to be done to ensure that ongoing pollution is curbed to prevent these outbreaks, at the Hartbeespoort dam and other critical dams and rivers across South Africa.

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo…

Inadequate municipal management is not the only cause. Municipal bylaws need to be implemented to curb the problem of pollution caused by littering and chemical spillage from industrial companies, as well as agricultural runoff.

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo…

Natasha Odendaal:

The Department of Water and Sanitation has increased its efforts to not only provide assistance to municipalities, but also introduce a polluter pays framework and amendments to key water acts to enable improved performance by water services authorities.

The solution will also come about through increased stakeholder and intergovernmental coordination.

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo…

Sashnee Moodley:

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy. Don’t forget to listen to the audio version of our Engineering News daily email newsletter.