Academic literature on the topic 'Water quality - South Africa - Vaal Dam'

Detailed source water monitoring showed large variations in the total concentrations of aluminium and iron in the Vaal Dam, South Africa, which were highlighted as a specific concern for one of the largest drinking water treatment plants in South Africa. This study aimed to better understand the presence of these metals in the source water, removal of these metals through the conventional treatment process, and final water quality trends, for the period 2008 to 2014. Aluminium and iron concentrations were highly variable and showed significant influence on colour and turbidity in source water. Sedimentation performed well, and removed over 70% of the metal concentration from the raw water. Filtration removed 15% of the remaining aluminium and iron concentrations. The pH and turbidity of the final water had minor effects on the metal concentration in the final water. The conventional treatment process was shown to be capable of removing aluminium and iron from the source water as both were within water quality limits in the final water. This study highlighted the importance of source water quality monitoring and treatment plant efficacy in evaluating whether the current treatment technology is appropriate for current and future challenges.

Weight factors (WFs) were developed for surface raw water pollution indicator variables in Vaal River's Upper and Middle Vaal sub-basins, in South Africa. The overall objective was to formulate a quantifiable ranking system to indicate importance of pollutant variables given their established effects on human and environmental health. Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) was applied to qualitative data that were obtained from South Africa's target water quality ranges as well as from literature which represented expert opinion. The human and environmental health effect choice sets were ranked from 1 to 5 on nine pollutant variable criteria: NH3/NH4+, Cl−, conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, F−, NO3−/NO2−, PO43− and SO42−. The weighted-sum method (WSM) then assigned highest and lowest normalised weights (NWs) to F− and Cl−, respectively, for human health effects (εhh) alternative. Highest and lowest NWs were assigned to NH3/NH4ε and EC, respectively, for environmental health effects (εeh) alternative. After aggregating the εhh and εeh WFs, resultant values ranked the variables from highest to lowest as follows: F−>NO3−/NO2−>/NH3/NH4+>DO>pH>SO42−>PO43−>EC>Cl−. The results represented the importance of variables given their established effects on human and environmental health. It was concluded that WFs provided a quantifiable barometer which could signal harmful exposure to elucidate negative effects of using polluted surface raw water in the study area. The values could be incorporated into water quality models like water quality indices. The approach could be used to develop WFs for other sites, taking into account issues like the site's pollution variables of concern as well as using a ranking key constructed from established literature.

In this study a site-specific, multi-algal species mathematical model is developed to allow meaningful predictions of water quality of the Vaal River on a short and medium time-scale. The model takes into account the variability of six environmental variables, namely light, temperature, turbidity, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus and silicon concentrations, that are all known to have a major effect on algal growth in the river.

A chemical pollution assessment and prioritisation model was developed for the Upper and Middle Vaal water management areas of South Africa in order to provide a simple and practical Pollution Index to assist with mitigation and rehabilitation activities. Historical data for 2003 to 2008 from 21 river sites were cubic-interpolated to daily values. Nine parameters were considered for this purpose, that is, ammonium, chloride, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, fluoride, nitrate, phosphate and sulphate. Parameter selection was based on sub-catchment pollution characteristics and availability of a consistent data range, against a harmonised guideline which provided five classes. Classes 1, 2, 3 and 4 used ideal catchment background values for Vaal Dam, Vaal Barrage, Blesbokspruit/Suikerbosrant and Klip Rivers, respectively. Class 5 represented values which fell above those for Klip River. The Pollution Index, as provided by the model, identified pollution prioritisation monitoring points on Rietspruit-W:K2, Natalspruit:K12, Blesbokspruit:B1, Rietspruit-L:R1/R2, Taaibosspruit:T1 and Leeuspruit:L1. Pre-classification indicated that pollution sources were domestic, industrial and mine effluent. It was concluded that rehabilitation and mitigation measures should prioritise points with high classes. Ability of the model to perform simple scenario building and analysis was considered to be an effective tool for acid mine drainage pollution assessment.

The user-pays principle encourages use of a water tariff structure that incorporates pollution and/or depletion of a water resource because that water represents a capital resource base. Development of a tool that models variability of surface raw water quality in order to predict cost of treatment thus makes economic sense. This paper forms the backbone for an on-going doctoral study in South Africa's Upper and Middle Vaal Water Management Areas (U&MVWMAs) of the Vaal River (VR). Specific objectives of the overall research are; to carry out pollutant tracer hydrochemistry of specific reaches of the U&MVWMAs including producing an integrated ecological functionality for the whole study area, and to develop a tool that models the variability of surface raw water quality using surface raw water tariffs and water quality data for years 2003–2008. This paper concluded that downstream water boards (WBs) paid a higher water resources management charge (WRMC) for more polluted raw water than upstream WBs. It was recommended that a quality-cost model be incorporated at tier1 of the cost chain for water services to ensure fairness of service delivery and spread of burden to consumers.

Abstract This paper discusses raw water quality results for the raw water from Vaalkop dam reservoir in South Africa. A time series analysis was conducted for various parameters over a prolonged period of time. The analysis indicates that apart from conductivity and coliform counts, most parameters were below their recommended threshold levels for the greatest part of the study period.

This paper discusses raw water quality results for the raw water from Bospoort dam in South Africa. A time series analysis was conducted for various parameters over a prolonged period of time. It was revealed that apart from conductivity, hardness, and high coliform counts, most parameters were below their recommended threshold levels for the greatest part of the study period.

Industrial effluents with high concentrations of toxic heavy metals are of great concern because of their persistence and non-degradability. However, poor operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment infrastructure is a great concern in South Africa. In this study, physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals (HMs) concentration of wastewater from five different industries, Leeuwkuil wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) inflow and effluent, and Vaal River water samples were monitored between January and September 2017, to investigate the correlation between heavy metal pollution and the location of industries and ascertain the effectiveness of the municipal WWTP. Physico-chemical variables such as pH, biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC) exhibited both temporal and spatial variations with the values significantly higher in the industrial samples. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) results also showed that aluminium (Al), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were significantly higher in industrial effluents (p < 0.05), with only Zn and Al exhibiting significant seasonal variability. Statistical correlation analysis revealed a poor correlation between physicochemical parameters and the HMs compositional quality of wastewater. However, toxic HMs (Zn, Cu and Pb) concentrations in treated wastewater from WWTP were above the permissible limits. Although the WWTP was effective in maintaining most of the wastewater parameters within South African Green drop Standards, the higher Cu, Zn, Pb and COD in its final effluent is a concern in terms of Vaal river health and biological diversity. Therefore, we recommend continuous monitoring and maintenance of the WWTPs infrastructure in the study area.

This research report is a completed Catchment Diagnostic Framework (CDF) for the Klip River catchment (Johannesburg) for the period October 1998 to September 1999. The framework consists of a catchment description and a diagnostic index which provide a simple and representative view of the catchment and its characteristics and assist in identifying problem areas. GIS maps, graphs and tables are used to provide a background of the catchment. The Diagnostic Index is based on a set of Indicators that are calculated and then scored according to a rating system allowing for the calculation of an overall value for the catchment. The indicators and description cover resource conditions, socioeconomics, water quantity, water quality and management. Using this CDF it was found that the Klip River catchment is highly altered due to mining, urban, industrial and agricultural development. All of these have impacts on the beneficial use of the Klip River itself and on the downstream users of the Vaal Barrage.
AC 2016

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study of climate change and its effect on the eutrophication of surface waters is a current and critically important study for the well-being of the entire planet. Within the same emission scenario various probable climate change models outcomes are possible that affect the water quality of a body of water. Voëlvlei is an off-channel dam that supplies water to the city of Cape Town in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Historically, it is a eutrophic dam and with climate change, its water quality is expected to worsen. Four statistically downscaled climate models are used to produce meteorological outputs that drive the hydrodynamic and water quality model. The times simulated were the present day (1971-1990), the intermediate future (2046-2065) and the distant future (2081-2100). The operating procedure was not expected to change for the dam and inflows and withdrawals were kept the same for each of the simulation periods. The water quality model CE-QUAL-W2 version 3.6 was used. The bathymetry was validated with measured data. The model was calibrated for temperature, phosphorus loading, ammonium, nitrite-nitrates and chlorophyll-a concentration. The model was used to predict a present day situation in the dam, which was the basis from which future changes would be assessed. The main driver for algal growth other than nutrients and light was water temperature, which was linked to air temperature. With climate change, the air temperature will raise and enhance algal growth. The limiting nutrient was phosphorus during the winter and the rest of the year nitrogen limits algal growth. In the present day, the dominant algal group was the green algae. With climate change an increase in the surface water temperature will increase evaporation and cause a decrease in the yield of the dam and further concentrates the algal nutrients. The surface phosphates concentration show increases in all months but especially in autumn. The total algal growth was increased annually and especially during autumn, signalling a seasonal shift and lengthening of the bloom season. The dominant algae however are still the green algae. There will be an increase in the annual concentration of diatoms. The green algae are present in the highest concentrations when compared to diatoms and cyanobacteria. The increase in its nutrients throughout the year as well as the increased water temperature allowed for unabated growth the entire year with peaks earlier in the year during autumn. Cyanobacteria are present at the surface for the entire year at significant concentrations but with intermediate and future climate change their concentrations does not change significantly. The result for cyanobacteria was inconclusive as the inter-variability between the climate models has the greatest variability for cyanobacteria, with 2 models showing an increased concentration and 2 a decreased concentration for intermediate and future time-period. For climate change, the water quality worsens especially during winter. With climate change water quality will worsen earlier in the year confirming a seasonal shift. The modelling of dissolved oxygen proved daunting as the results indicated supersaturation. The concentration of dissolved oxygen does not vary much as would be expected due to the warmer waters.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie van klimaatsverandering en die uitwerking daarvan op die eutrofiseering van die oppervlaktewater is 'n huidige en krities belangrike studie vir die welsyn van die hele planeet. Binne dieselfde emissie scenario, is verskeie moontlike uitkomste van klimaat modelle moontlik en die invloed op die kwaliteit van die oppervlakwater. Voëlvlei is 'n buite-bedding dam wat water verskaf aan die stad van Kaapstad in die Westelike Provinsie van Suid-Afrika. Histories is dit is 'n eutrofiese dam en met die verandering van die klimaat sal die kwaliteit van die water na verwagting verswak. Vier statisties afgeskaal klimaat modelle word gebruik om meterologiese toesttande te skep en hiedie word dan gebruik as invoer vir die hidrologiese and water kwaliteits model vir die huidige situasie (1971-1990), die intermediêre toekoms (2046-2065) en die verre toekoms (2081-2100). Die bedruifs-proses vir die dam was nie verwag om te verander nie en die invloei en onttrekkings was dieselfde gehou vir elk van die simulasie periodes. Die watergehalte model CE-QUAL-W2 3.6 was gebruik. Die bathymetrie was bevestig met gemete data. Die model was gekalibreer vir temperatuur, fosfor, ammonium, nitriet-nitrate en chlorofil-a konsentrasie. Die model was gebruik om 'n huidige situasie in die dam te simuleer, wat die basis vir klimaatsveranderinge sou wees. Die vernaamste aandrywer vir die alge groei anders as voedingstowwe en lig, was water temperatuur, wat met lugtemperatuur gekoppel was. Met klimaatsverandering word die lugtemperatuur verhoog en alge groei. Die beperkende voedingstof was fosfor gedurende die winter en die res van die jaar was die dam stikstof beperk. Die dominante alge-groep in die huidige situasie was die groen alge. Met klimaatsverandering stuig die temperatuur van die oppervlakwater, verhoog verdamping, veroorsaak afname in die vlak van die dam en verhoog die konsentrasie van die alge voedingstowwe. Die oppervlak fosfate konsentrasie verhoog in al die maande veral in die herfs. Die totale alge groei jaarliks en veral gedurende die herfs, 'n teken van 'n seisoenale verskuiwing en verlenging van die blom seisoen. Die dominante alge was nog steeds groen alge. Daar sal 'n toename in die jaarlikse konsentrasie van diatome wees. Die groen alge is in die hoogste konsentrasies vergelyk met diatome en sianobakterieë. Die toename in die voedingstowwe deur die loop van die jaar, sowel as die verhoogde watertemperatuur kan vir 'n onverpoos groei vir die hele jaar, veral in die herfs. Sianobakterieë is teenwoordig vir die hele jaar op beduidende konsentrasies, maar met intermediêre en toekomstige klimaat verander die konsentrasies nie veel nie. Die resultaat vir sianobakterieë was onoortuigend as gevolg van die inter-veranderlikheid tussen die klimaats modelle, met 2 modelle wat 'n toename in konsentrasie voorspel en 2 'n afname in konsentrasie voorspel. Vir klimaatsverandering, die kwaliteit van die water vererger veral in die winter. Met klimaatsverandering skyf hierdie verswakking van water kwaliteit na vroeër in die jaar, wat bevestig 'n seisoenale skui vir verergering. Die modellering van opgeloste suurstof was uitdagende en die resultate was super-versadig. Die konsentrasie van opgeloste suurstof wissel nie veel as wat verwag sou word as gevolg van die warmer water.

The majority of South Africa’s fresh water (lotic and lentic), is eutrophic and this has resulted in water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (C.Mart.) Solms. (Pontederiaceae) becoming South Africa’s most damaging aquatic macrophyte. Recently however, concerns have also been voiced over the presence of highly invasive submerged macrophyte species, such as Eurasian water-milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum L. (Haloragaceae) in the Vaal River. Interaction studies between floating and submerged macrophytes have shown that floating macrophyte dominance restricts light penetration into the water column shading out submerged macrophytes while submerged macrophyte dominance reduces nutrient availability in the water column limiting floating macrophyte growth. This cycle ensures that these species cannot coexist in the same habitat for extended periods of time. The aims of this thesis were to: 1. Investigate changes in the historical and current macrophyte dominance in the Vaal River 2. Determine whether these changes could be attributed to stochastic events, such as floods and herbicide control measures. 3. The physio-chemical conditions of the water column, and whether pressure from herbivory by macroinvertebrates had possibly influenced Eurasian water-milfoil’s ability to dominate. Spatial and temporal analysis of satellite imagery revealed that water hyacinth and submerged macrophyte species dominated different regions of the study area over different periods of time from 2006 to 2010. This was significantly correlated with nitrate concentrations of the water column. One of the lower Vaal River Water Management Areas (WMA) had changed from a water hyacinth dominated state in 2006 to an alternative submerged macrophyte dominated stable state in 2008. It was concluded that this change could be attributed to: a stochastic flooding event in 2006; perturbation from integrated control measures implemented against water hyacinth; and low nitrate concentrations of the WMA. The lack of any substantial macroinvertebrate herbivory pressure or control measures implemented against Eurasian water-milfoil, compared to similar surveys conducted in the U.S.A. and its native range in Eurasia was shown to contribute to its dominance. Future successful integrated control programmes, including biological control against Eurasian water-milfoil, could provide the perturbation required to restore the ecosystem. However, without the reduction in nitrate concentration levels, water hyacinth will remain the dominant stable state of the rest of the Vaal River.

Thesis (MScAgric (Conservation Ecology and Entomology)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
A semi-arid country, like South Africa, with unpredictable seasonal rainfall, is subject to great scarcity in water and an ever-increasing demand from the rising human population. Therefore, efficient reservoirs as well as monitoring methods are needed to manage the South African water supply. This study was undertaken on the Eerste River in the Western Cape, South Africa, focusing on the impact of the Klein Plaas dam system on the benthic macroinvertebrates. The study also examined the use of benthic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of water quality with special reference to the South African Scoring System Version 5(SASS5) that is currently being used nationally. The impoundment of the water, as well as the inter-basin transfer programme and the experimental cage-culture trout farm, all play a significant role in the disturbance impact of the dam on the Eerste River system. The disturbance is manifested as a drop in water quality that can be seen in the distribution of keystone species, changes in the riparian vegetation, as well as in physical-, chemical-, and biomonitoring evaluations. The study also indicated that the SASS5 is effective, but needs some adjustments, such as inclusion of a prediction phase, finer spatial-scale methodologies and greater consideration of the rarity of species.

Thesis (MScAgric (Conservation Ecology and Entomology)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007.
Small farm dams (< 20 ha) in the Western Cape Province provide adequate water conditions for intensive cage production of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). A major environmental concern of cage aquaculture, however, is the high inputs of nutrients via commercial diets and the subsequent eutrophication of the water source. Eutrophication can result in the degradation of the general water quality (increasing pH levels, oxygen depletion, increased hydrogen sulphide and free ammonia) and shifts in the phytoplankton structure (increased biomass, single species dominance). Deterioration of water quality will affect the success of the fish farming enterprise as well as the performance of irrigation equipment by increasing the risk of clogging and corrosion. Water quality, phytoplankton and zooplankton compositions were monitored at four sites from June 2005 to November 2006 to determine the effects of cage culture on the farm dam environment, its associated biota as well as irrigation water quality. The distribution of nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus, was mainly influenced by the stratification and mixing regime of the water bodies. Nutrient concentrations increased during the winter mixing period while in the summer months, they seem to settle to the lower part of the water column. Nutrient concentrations of production sites and reference sites were comparable except for the ammonia levels that were significantly higher at the production sites. Phytoplankton corresponded with nutrient availability resulting in high biomass during winter. In terms of biomass, phytoplankton was approximately two times more abundant in production sites compared to reference sites. Assemblage dominance by cyanophytes (Anabaena circinalis, Microcystis spp.) was found more often in production sites, while reference sites were dominated by dinophytes (Ceratium hirundinella, Peridinium spp.). Zooplankton biomass concurred with high phytoplankton biomass in winter. Zooplankton assemblages in production sites sustained much higher biomass. Effects of cage culture on irrigation water quality are evident from increased algal biomass and shifts in species composition. These results indicated that at its present production level, cage culture had impacts on the farm dam environment and irrigation water quality. The most significant evidence was given by increased plankton biomass and single species dominance in production sites. However, these findings can not solely be ascribed to the introduction of aquaculture as various other factors may also contribute to the water quality of these ecosystems.

M.Sc.
The Vaal River is the main source of water supply to the central industrial, mining and metropolitan regions of South Africa, and is, therefore, strictly regulated by small dams and weirs. The Vaal Dam is the main regulator of water to the Vaal River and is of great importance as it supplies water for human consumption and also to the industrial powerhouse of South Africa. Situated at the confluence of its major tributaries, namely the Vaal and Wilge Rivers, and straddling the convergence of the borders of Gauteng, Free State and Mpumalanga provinces, the Vaal Dam is approximately 77 km south of Johannesburg. It is South Africa’s second-largest dam in terms of area, and third-largest in terms of volume, and is a key component in South Africa’s water supply infrastructure. Gauteng, as well as the surrounding provinces are reliant on it for their water supply. Water flow fluctuations are deemed to be important as they could negatively impact upon the water quality. Knowledge of the relationship between fluctuating water flows and water quality is important as strategies can then be devised on this basis to improve the freshwater situation of the country, the associated management systems, and treatment technologies. By establishing the nature of the respective relationships between high water flow and the selected water quality parameters, ways could be found of reducing the costs of water quality problems, such as eutrophication. The various relationships between high water flow and the selected water quality parameters of the Vaal Dam that were established during the course of this study are as follows: In terms of pH, the study found that in the event of a decline in the water flow, the pH value increased and the water body became more alkaline. A decrease in water flow was also found to be associated with an increase in EC. An increase in water flow was found to be associated with a decrease in pH, EC and Chlorophyll-a. An increase in water flow up to a certain level was found to be associated with an increase in nitrates, sulphates and COD.

The main purpose of this study is to determine the difference in water quality of the rivers between the Katse and Vaal Dams (Wilge River and Vaal Dam reservoir sub-catchments) after the construction of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. These rivers include the Ash, Liebenbergsvlei and Wilge Rivers. The temporal changes in water constituents, namely: electrical conductivity, chemical oxygen demand, pH, turbidity, ammonia, calcium, manganese and chlorophyll a, at selected water sampling points were analysed to clarify if Katse Dam water has had any impact on the water quality of the Ash, Liebenbergsvlei and Wilge Rivers and the Vaal Dam. The water quality was studied over an eleven-year period from November 1994 until December 2005. This includes a five-year period prior to, and a six-year period following the completion of the Katse Dam. The Ash, Liebenbergsvlei and Wilge Rivers fall within the Wilge sub-catchment, and the Vaal Dam falls within the Vaal Dam reservoir sub-catchment. Both the aforementioned sub-catchments form part of the Vaal River catchment. Physical, chemical and microbiological sampling results were obtained from Rand Water. The results were compared with the in-stream water quality guidelines as set by the Vaal Barrage Catchment Executive Committee. The results of the selected constituents were depicted visually in the form of graphs. Trends in the constituents over the period were then determined. The graphs were divided into two sections namely, pre-Katse Dam (before 1999) and post-Katse Dam (1999 to 2005). Differences in water quality before and after the construction of the Katse Dam were determined from sampling and chemical analysis at six locations, and hence evaluations were made whether the release of Katse Dam water has had a significant effect on the water quality results in the Vaal River System. The water quality results with respect to the different water constituents illustrated a distinct change in water quality over the period. Northwards, towards the Vaal Dam, the difference in water quality became less apparent. Sampling points throughout the study area experienced decreases in: electrical conductivity, chemical oxygen demand, turbidity, ammonia, and manganese. Hence, the release of Katse Dam water into the Vaal River system has had a ii positive influence on the water quality and thus changed the riverine environments in the Vaal River system. The high quality water from the Katse Dam that enters the Vaal River system thus initially increases the quality of the water in the recipient system with a lesser effect downstream. The result is an improvement of water quality in the upper reaches of the Vaal River system and no significant influence on the Vaal Dam itself. However, the change in water quality may have a detrimental effect on the river environment as a result of the increased volume of water entering the system and the resultant soil erosion, which serves for further studies. Consequently, the advantageous high quality water from the Lesotho Highlands is not being optimally utilised, hence the proposed recommendation by Rand Water to alternatively transfer Katse Dam water via a gravity-fed pipeline to the Vaal Dam thereby receiving the full benefit of high quality water, leaving river environments unaltered and possibly lowering purification costs.
Prof. J. T. Harmse Prof. H. J. Annegarn

M.Sc. (Zoology)
The world’s ever increasing human population has lead to an almost unimaginable amount of waste being released in to the aquatic environment every day. Aquatic systems are faced with the greatest risk due to the fact that water is an indispensable resource required for industrial and agricultural processes. In recent years there has been a dire need for the monitoring and rehabilitation of aquatic systems. As a result many biological monitoring programmes were set into place in an attempt to manage this problem. The use of aquatic organisms as sentinels for biomonitoring studies has been wildly accepted with the majority of biomonitoring research focusing on the use of various fish and invertebrate species as aquatic sentinel organisms. However, the use of parasites as sentinel organisms is a relatively new field and as a result there has been little published work on the use of monogenean ectoparasites parasites as such sentinels. The bioaccumulation and subsequent biomagnification of metals by certain parasite species is well known, with bulk of the published work focusing on endoparasites (cestodes, acanthocephalans & nematodes), these published studies indicate that some species of endoparasites exhibit a remarkable ability to biomagnify metals in concentrations that far exceed that of their respective hosts as well as the ambient environment. Thus this project aims to assess the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of metals by the ectoparasitic diplozoon. The study site that was chosen for this project was the Vaal Dam; this site was deemed appropriate due to its near pristine condition and major economic importance. This meant that this particular site is ideal for the testing of a new biomonitoring system. All field sampling was performed around UJ Island (26°52.249’S; 20°10.249’E) from February 2011 to April 2011. A total of 29 Labeo umbratus (Smith, 1841) were collected with the aid of gill nets and three sediment samples were also taken using a grab sampler. Water quality data was obtained from the Rand Water Analytical Facility in Vereeniging as this organisation routinely monitors of the water quality parameters and the metal concentrations within the surface waters of the Vaal Dam, this information was obtained with the aid of data loggers situated in the dam...

This study assesses the contribution of agricultural non-point source pollution, to poor water quality of the Vaal River within the Grootdraai dam catchment area. The study evaluates agricultural pollutants affecting the quality of water within the study area. The impact of agricultural non-point source pollution on the water quality of the Vaal River was evaluated by establishing a correlation between the quantity of polluted runoff reaching the River and the quantity of measured nitrates and phosphates in its waters. A questionnaire using random sampling was used to capture data from 15 commercial farmers 35 local residents and the Department of Water Affairs management. The results of the study show that agricultural nutrients are heavily impacting and compromising the water quality of the Grootdraai Dam. The mean concentrations of Nitrogen and Phosphorus were found to be well above the water quality guidelines there by promoting eutrophication.
Environmental Sciences
M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

M. Tech. (Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology), Vaal University of Technology.
A novel technology in the treatment of river water, which involves an electrochemical treatment technique to produce domestic or drinking water is being investigated using aluminium and iron electrodes in an electrochemical circuit. Coagulation and flocculation are traditional methods for the treatment of polluted water. Electrocoagulation presents a robust novel and innovative alternative in which a sacrificial metal anode treats water electrochemically. This has the major advantage of providing mainly active cations required for coagulation and flocculation, without increasing the salinity of the water. Electrocoagulation is a complex process with a multitude of mechanisms operating synergistically to remove pollutants from the water. A wide variety of opinions exist in the literature for key mechanisms. A lack of a systematic approach has resulted in a myriad of designs for electrocoagulation reactors without due consideration of the complexity of the system. A systematic, holistic approach is required to understand electrocoagulation and its controlling parameters. An electrocoagulation-flotation process has been developed for water treatment. This involved an electrolytic reactor with aluminium and/or iron electrodes. The water to be treated (river water) was subjected to coagulation, by Al(III) and Fe(II) ions dissolved from the electrodes, resulting in floes floating after being captured by hydrogen gas bubbles generated at the cathode surfaces. Apparent current efficiencies for AI and Fe dissolution as aqueous Al(III) and Fe(II) species at pH 6.5 and 7.8 were greater than unity. This was due to additional chemical reactions occurring parallel with electrochemical AI and Fe dissolution: oxygen reduction at anodes and cathodes, and hydrogen evolution at cathodes, resulting in net (i.e. oxidation plus reduction) currents at both anodes and cathodes. Investigation results illustrate the feasibility of ferrous and aluminium ion electrochemical treatment as being a successful method of water treatment. Better results were achieved under conditions of relatively high raw water alkalinity, relatively low raw water turbidity, and when high mixing energy conditions were available.

The major challenge with regular water quality monitoring programmes is making sense of the large and complex physico-chemical data-sets that are generated in a comparatively short period of time. Consequentially, this presents difficulties for water management practitioners who are expected to make informed decisions based on information extracted from the large data-sets. In addition, the nonlinear nature of water quality data-sets often makes it difficult to interpret the spatio-temporal variations. These reasons necessitated the need for effective methods of interpreting water quality results and drawing meaningful conclusions. Hence, this study applied multivariate techniques, namely Cluster Analysis and Principal Component Analysis, to interpret eight-year (2005–2012) water quality data that was generated from a monitoring exercise at six stations in uMngeni Basin, South Africa. The principal components extracted with eigenvalues of greater than 1 were interpreted while considering the pollution issues in the basin. These extracted components explain 67–76% of the water quality variation among the stations. The derived significant parameters suggest that uMngeni Basin was mainly affected by the catchment’s geological processes, surface runoff, domestic sewage effluent, seasonal variation and agricultural waste. Cluster Analysis grouped the sampling six stations into two clusters namely heavy (B) or low (A), based on the degree of pollution. Cluster A mainly consists of water sampling stations that were located in the outflow of the dam (NDO, IDO, MDO and NDI) and its water can be described as of fairly good quality due to dam retention and attenuation effects. Cluster B mainly consist of dam inflow water sampling stations (MDI and IDI), which can be described as polluted if compared to cluster A. The poor quality water observed at Cluster B sampling stations could be attributed to natural and anthropogenic activities through point source and runoff. The findings could assist in determining an appropriate set of water quality parameters that would indicate variation of water quality in the basin, with minimum loss of information. It is, therefore, recommended that this approach be used to assist decision-makers regarding strategies for minimising catchment pollution.