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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Water may dry up in Gauteng by 2013!


21 September 2009

"As we deliberate on this critical matter, we need to ensure that we look honestly, objectively and constructively at the challenges at hand. Equally, we need to identify and appreciate how, working together we can move forward in ways that allow us to improve and better manage this critical resource," said MEC Kgaogelo Lekgoro.

"I expect and look forward to us having an honest, positive and robust discussion on what are the current initiatives on Water Conservation and Demand Management that we have embarked on, especially at the municipal level. We will focus at the municipal level because that is where the use and consumption is managed.

We also need to report and share on the progress thus far, lessons learnt, challenges encountered, as well as the envisaged solutions, responsibilities and time lines for implementing the solutions. Municipalities are the strategic and focal point in this endeavour and we should all benefit from sharing with them as to where do they stand as regards their specific environment in water management and consumption," said MEC Lekgoro.

What came out of the early discussions was that municipalities are losing R1,2 billion on lost water or unaccounted water. Johannesburg alone accounts for R522 million of water unaccounted for. It also transpired that the Gauteng government needs at least R600 million per year for the next six years to manage the water losses. At the moment Gauteng contributes about R100 million or water management. If we implement proper measures of water conservation and demand management to save 15 percent on the water we have lost.

Given that the demand for water is going to increase, more focus will be put on demand management. Areas of focus are going to be put into municipalities and the provincial government to focus on:

* water loss management
* pressure management
* removal of wasteful devices
* improved billing and metering
* improved efficiency
* water efficient gardens

If water is not managed properly we may experience water supply reductions by 2013 and the interventions which are earmarked would not be ready at that time. The Proposed implementation of the Phase2 of the Lesotho highlands programme has been approved but it may only be ready in 2020.

Councillor Subesh Pillay from the City of Tshwane said "part of the problems of water losses emanated from the sub standard materials which people were using when building particularly RDP houses. We are faced with a problem were the municipalities should use the budget meant for bulk infrastructure.

Unfortunately the money goes to fixing the leaks which could have been avoided at the time of building the house. But we have now begun to monitor the type of materials used during the construction of houses focusing on low cost RDP houses build by the state. This will help us to manage water losses we are experiencing the area."

"It appears that municipalities are currently facing pressure and are calling for the provincial government through department of local government and housing to facilitate a programme as well as funding, to curb water wastage. The other biggest challenge is aging infrastructure of bulk water and sewer running through residences. This challenge is also compounded by a growing need to reduce informal settlements as people a put into proper houses," said MEC Lekgoro.

"The department is going to use various measures to assist get the necessary resources to assist municipalities deal with the water programme. This programme will also look at other opportunities of getting water in the future," said MEC Lekgoro.

For more information contact:

Fred Mokoko
Cell: 082 447 8407
Tel: (011) 355 4013
E-mail: Fred.Mokoko@gauteng.gov.za

Issued by: Department of Local Government and Housing, Gauteng Provincial
Government
21 September 2009
Source: Department of Local Government and Housing, Gauteng Provincial
Government (http://www.housing.gpg.gov.za/)

Was that Moby Dick

 

 

 

Good Morning Everybody –

 

What Was Moby Dick ?

 

He was a huge white sperm whale in a famous novel called Moby Dick, written by Herman Melville in the nineteenth century. In the book, Moby Dick is chased across the seas by the bitter captain of a whaling ship who is seeking revenge against the whale which caused him to lose his leg. The book ends with a three day battle between Moby Dick and the hunter. In the end only one man survives the battle.

 

Did you know ?

 

The only whale which could ever have swallowed Jonah in the biblical story, is the huge sperm whale. It is the only whale with a throat big enough to swallow a man whole. Although the blue whale is much bigger, its throat is too small.

 

Are Dolphins Whales ?

 

All dolphins are toothed whales, but belong to a completely different group to the baleen whales and sperm whales. The dolphin family includes large dolphins like the killer whale and pilot whales, which are only called whales because they are so big. This can be quite confusing as even the much smaller melon-headed whale is really a dolphin and not a whale at all!

 

Just a little bit if educational information to have as extra interesting reading this morning – enjoy this lovely rain outside – hoping our rivers will soon flow from bank to bank!

Keep in touch!

 

 

 

Warm Regards
Riëtte Bennett
St.Lucia Tours & Charters t/a Advantage Cruiser CC
e-mail:  advantage@zululink.co.za

web :    www.advantagetours.co.za - NEW UPDATED VERSION  - EXCITING - PLEASE CHECK IT OUT!!!!

SEE OUR FACEBOOK SITES - ADVANTAGE TOURS SOUTH AFRICA 

Tel   : +27 ( 035 ) 5901259

Fax  : +27 ( 035 ) 5901053

Cell  : 083 487 2762
Box 151, St Lucia,South Africa 3936
1 McKenzie Street,  St Lucia 3936, ** corner of Dolphin Supermarket  , the very first information office as you enter the town of St Lucia after crossing the bridge , at the traffic circle find parking immediately on the right (next to PEP stores) **

our GPS co-ordinates are :: S28 22. 335 E32 24. 773   ....St Lucia Village South Africa

 

 

Fuel removal operation to the grounded bulk carrier ‘Seli 1’ resumed this morning


19 September 2009

The fuel removal operation with respect to the grounded bulk carrier 'Seli 1' resumed this morning as weather and sea conditions moderated on site. The launch 'Ocean Pride' was alongside the casualty at 08h00 and pumping of fuel to her storage tanks resumed shortly thereafter. She has returned to the Port of Cape Town and is discharging received fuel. The total amount of fuel removed from the casualty to date amounts to 454 tonnes. The vessel was carrying 660 tonnes of fuel when she ran aground on Monday 7 September at Table View Beach, Cape Town.

Calm conditions are forecasted for the next few days and salvors will take advantage of this good weather window to access and then pump out as much of the remaining fuel from the vessel as possible. Skimming in the engine room continues.

As a proactive precautionary measure, an oil pollution boom is still deployed at Milnerton Lagoon and response teams remain on standby. Members of the public are kindly requested to keep clear of the boom and other equipment on site. The pollution patrol aircraft Kuswag 9 continues to over fly the casualty daily and has reported no oil in the vicinity of the casualty today.

The 'Seli 1' joint operations committee is appealing to members of the public specifically those undertaking recreational activities such as surfing, kite surfing, canoeing/paddle skiing to keep well clear of the grounded bulk carrier in the area of table view beach as the fuel removal operation continues. This is for their own safety as well as for the safety of the salvage team and to prevent any disruption to the operation. Cooperation in this regard is appreciated.

The joint operations committee, chaired by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and attended by relevant authorities and involved parties, continues to meet daily as the fuel removal operation continues. Environmental protection remains a key priority for all involved. The committee includes representatives from SAMSA, Department of Environmental Affairs, SMIT Salvage, SANCCOB, City of Cape Town Disaster Management, Robben Island Museum, Transnet National Ports Authority, amongst others.

For further information kindly contact:

Dave Colly
Tel: 021 421 6170

Carol Moses
Cell: 082 829 3917
E-mail: cmoses@deat.gov.za

Coen Birkenstock
Tel: 021 449 2389
Cell: 083 452 6698

Greg Pillay
Tel: 021 597 5001

Dennis Cruywagen
Cell: 082 628 4902

Clare Gomes
Tel: 021 507 5777
Cell: 082 909 2025

Issued by: Department of Water and Environmental Affairs
19 September 2009
Source: Department of Water and Environmental Affairs (http://www.deat.gov.za/)