Much-needed water research lab for province

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has made R40-million available to Walter Sisulu University (WSU) to conduct research on water pollution.

This forms part of Operation Pakisa, a government initiative set to revive the South African ocean economy.

The three-year deal was signed on Thursday at the East London Golf Club.

WSU spokeswoman Yonela Tukwayo said the agreement would see the department establishing a laboratory at the university.

“The partnership with the department will champion water pollution research collecting and analysing water quality, sediment and biota samples along the country’s coastline.”

She said the lab was scheduled to be operational shortly and would provide the first sample analysis for the Eastern Cape.

The lab would continue to operate beyond the three-year project term, by providing water quality data and information for the department and other coastal water uses.

Tukwayo said the project would build competence in the field of water quality monitoring and pollution and act as a reference lab. It will provide:

lBaseline water quality information that will support long-term assessment of accumulative impacts associated with the ocean economy;

lBaseline information on water quality of the natural receiving environment near land-based sources of pollution;

lSupport to recreational coastal water quality monitoring at local government municipalities; and

lIncreased capacity in the field of marine water quality, and analysis of sediment and mussel samples.

DEA deputy director-general Dr Monde Mayekiso said: “The national coastal management programme developed under the Integrated Coastal Management Act calls for the development of dedicated, co-ordinated and integrated coastal monitoring and reporting systems.”

He said monitoring and reporting would be be used to realise environmental rights, as enshrined in the Constitution.

Currently, the monitoring process was fragmented, uncoordinated and non-uniform, which caused problems.

“In addition, details of the analytical methods used in many programmes aren’t readily made available.

“It’s impossible to get a clear picture of the water quality status of South Africa’s coastal and marine environment at any given time, or discern any possible trends,” Mayekiso said.

However, he said the lab would produce reliable data and information.

DEA spokesman Zolile Nqayi said the lab would provide experience and work opportunities for graduates from previously disadvantage backgrounds.

Nqayi said the Eastern Cape was rich in marine biodiversity and was home to 54% of South Africa’s estuaries. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za