The water sector is experiencing a critical scarce skills shortage, owing to an insufficient skills base and fierce competition in the labour market for skilled personnel, said the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) acting director- general Trevor Balzer. During his address earlier this month at the Civilution Congress, in Ekurhuleni, he stated that a high … [Read more...]
Mining company in hot water over pollution
The Department of Water and Environmental Affairs (DWEA) has laid criminal charges against the owners of a tailing dam that overflowed and caused extensive pollution of the Selati and Olifants rivers in Limpopo. The dam, owned by Phalaborwa-based mining company Bosveld Phosphates, overflowed in late December due to heavy rains, releasing highly acidic water into the Selati … [Read more...]
Finding a way through water woes
Having gained a unique perspective of the local water environment through serving as chief director of the Department of Water Affairs, Dr Harrison Pienaar joined the CSIR last year as competence area manager of the Ecosystems Services research group. Chantelle Mattheus recently took the opportunity to discuss both his – and the CSIR’s – focus moving forward and where he sees … [Read more...]
Price of water could increase by 45% in 2 years
The hospitality and leisure industry will need to pull in its belt to meet the challenges of increased water tariffs, announced by the Department of Water Affairs’ long term investment plan released earlier this week. This is the opinion of the Heritage Environmental Management Company, Africa’s leading tourism-based environmental certification brand. This plan will see … [Read more...]
Kayamandi residents take ownership of their river
South Africa is the first country in the world to adopt water as a human right. A large group of Kayamandi residents gathered at the Kayamandi Economic and Tourism Centre on Human Rights' Day to celebrate Water Week. They were entertained by the Department of Water Affairs' own personal choir and inspirational speakers who urged them to take ownership of the Eerste River. The … [Read more...]
Step 3 – Now save water!
Step 3 in our 12 steps to a greener 2011 is NOW SAVE WATER. 'Water for Cities - responding to the urban challenge' is the theme of the first ever time that the United Nations will celebrate 'World Water Day' in Cape Town - this week from 21 to 22 March. . This coincides with South Africa's 'National Water Week', running from 22 to 27 March. Organized by the Department of … [Read more...]
Half of humanity to live in high water stress by 2030
River systems have undergone more severe changes than any other ecosystem type in recent decades, primarily due to human activities. UNESCO's Third World Water Development Report predicts that nearly half of humanity will be living in areas of high water stress by 2030. In water scarce South Africa, the Endangered Wildlife Trust is addressing the problem through its Healthy … [Read more...]
