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Water Quality Regulation In South Africa

Water Quality Regulation In South Africa. MMC 25 Feb 2010. Purpose of Technical Regulation. The Department seeks to improve service delivery through regulation; ensuring water services (drinking water quality) that complies with requirements.

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Water Quality Regulation In South Africa

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  1. Water Quality Regulation In South Africa MMC 25 Feb 2010

  2. Purpose of Technical Regulation • The Department seeks to improve service delivery through regulation; ensuring water services (drinking water quality) that complies with requirements. • It was clear that output-based regulation would not suffice in an environment where there is a lack of expertise and understanding; Incentive-based regulation was then introduced through: • Blue Drop Certification (Drinking Water Quality) • Green Drop Certification (Waste Water Quality). • This approach stimulates a process of sustainable improvement of water services delivery (water quality aspects). (Guiding through the introduction of international “Best Practice” as well as Measuring & Publishing performance.)

  3. Waste Water Services Regulation • DWA embarked on a 3-pronged regulation approach regarding Waste Water Services: Enforcement Leading to Litigation Incl. Directives Incentive-based Regulation Green Drop Certification Risk-based Targeted Regulation Assess risks and prioritise appro. Intervention according to Cumulative Risk Rating

  4. How did the Regulatory ApproachImprove DWQM in SA

  5. 96.3% 66.1% 2009 2010

  6. What change BDC brought • Facilitated a paradigm shift from output-based DWQM approach to that of holistic (Catchment-to-Consumer) risk-based management. • Water Safety Plans were introduced as per the guidelines of the World Health Organisation. (To ensure that all risks are noted and control measures are put in place.) • The general public is now part of DWQ management & regulation through the publication. This stimulated accountability. • But the process also revealed challenges and weaknesses on a supply system specific basis. (No more need for sensationalist generalization.

  7. DWQ Information • In 2006 DWA availed the eWQMS (Electronic Water Quality Management System) to all WSAs for the purpose of improving DWQ management. This innovation received a global award (2008) from the IWA. • In 2007: DWQ Regulation System (DWQRS) was initiated to improve regulatory ability. • The DWQRS (name changed to BDS, Blue Drop system), improved DWA regulation communication tremendously and this is evident in available information. • www.dwa.gov.za/bluedrop. “My Water” provides credible information to the public.

  8. Status • Green Drop report 2009 was approved by Minister and will be released to the public shortly. • The 6 municipalities that received Green Drop Certification for the qualifying systems (32) received acknowledgements in May 2009 already. • Expectantly the municipal waste water service requires much more improvement than DWQM. Shortcomings: • Asset Management; • Skills (both management and process control); • Inadequate treatment capacity.

  9. National Overview & Perspective of Municipal Wastewater Treatment towards targeted risk-based regulation - • A National Waste Water Services Risk Assessment was completed in November 2009. • This was done to augment regulatory intelligence in this regard. • It serves as a credible baseline from where turn-around can be facilitated.

  10. Risk Abatement Approach • The Department completed an assessment of all waste water treatment works in the country according to the following risks: • Size of Treatment Facility; • Effluent Volume exceeding Design Capacity; • Effluent Quality Failure Rating (pH; COD; SS; Nitrates; EC; E.coli; FC; Ammonia; Phosphates) • Skills Compliance (Process Controlling). • Two additional Risk Factors are being developed; • Resource Environmental Sensitivity • Management Efficiency. Definition of risk: The possibility of suffering harm or loss / a factor, thing, element or cause involving uncertain danger / chance of disaster or loss / put in jeopardy.

  11. Waste Water Turn Around • Berg River Initiative – 6 WSAs discharging effluent in the resource. • Risk Assessment used to define baseline for each of the WWTW; and initiate turn around targets. • Through PAWS; 2 UK waste water specialists assisted munics to identify key areas for risk reduction; to inform the risk abatement plans; • Basic rectification measures were recommended; • DWA busy monitoring progress; (attitude shift of Municipalities are most encouraging.)

  12. Chasing a “green drop” or staying in the clear from a “purple drop” has become a target for most municipalities. This initiative is largely responsible for the increased awareness and ‘urgent’ implementation measures taken by WSAs to improve their wastewater treatment performance

  13. Watch this space for….. • 2010 Host City Drinking Water Report • To be released 17 March 2010; • The “My Water” portal will be officially launched. • Green Drop Report will be released in March 2010. • Launch of the Green Drop System(Waste Water Services Regulation System); • Blue Drop 2010 Report will be ready for release in April 2010.

  14. Thank You We will continue to regain the confidence of the Public in the South African Water Quality fraternity

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