Exploring aspects of the water history of the Potchefstroom region and the local management of it.201
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Authors
Annandale, E.
Nealer, Eric
Issue Date
2011
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
Water History , Potchefstroom , Local Management , Dolomite , Municipal Water Supply , Department of Water Affairs (DWA) , Water-transporting cement canal , Co-operative Governance , Water Resource Management
Alternative Title
Abstract
It is by now common knowledge that South Africa is a water scarce country
and that the correct public management of its potable water sources such as
the transportation of it as well as the purification of the used water is of utmost
importance. In the history of South Africa, the supply of potable water and
basic sanitation services to all the inhabitants has never been higher on the
national, provincial and especially the local government sphere agendas than
since the end of April 1994.1
Even though the Mooi River valley area has always been described as water
rich, it might in the near future be described as “water, water everywhere, but
not a drop to drink”! The city of Potchefstroom gathers its potable water from
surface- and groundwater in the Mooi River Catchment. The water is collected,
stored and released from the Boskop Dam from where it is transported in a
12km long open-on-top cement canal to the water purification works of the
City. In an ad hoc field visit by the authors, it was discovered that the water
canal is broken and being polluted in a variety of ways before it reaches the
purification works. Improvement of this inefficient management situation is
also currently quite impossible seeing that the Department of Water Affairs’
workforce has declined to a mere 20 people to maintain the whole of the Mooi
River valley.2
The article starts off with a historical water related background of
Potchefstroom identifying some historical happenings and developments
of importance with reference to the development related to Potchefstroom
and especially the source and transport of its potable water. Thereafter the article highlights some important water resources related legislation, which
is obviously not being adhered to. Important role-players involved with the
public management of the potable water supply for the city residents of
Potchefstroom are furthermore identified. Lastly the way forward is addressed
and some recommendations on the improvement of the transport of the City’s
potable water through the dolomite underlain area are given.
Description
Citation
Annandale, E and Nealer, E.J. Exploring aspects of the water history of the Potchefstroom region and the local management of it. New Contree, No. 62 (November 2011)
Publisher
University of North West: Department of History
License
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
0379-9867