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Mukula Integrated school Mr M.A. Musetsho Mr T. Shakudyiwa . Aim of the project. An investigation into the factors that threaten water resources in our community. Background of the project. Water is a limited resource over all the world Only 3% of the world's water is fresh
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Aim of the project An investigation into the factors that threaten water resources in our community
Background of the project • Water is a limited resource over all the world • Only 3% of the world's water is fresh • South Africa is a dry country • It (S.A) receives rainfall of +- 450mm per annum which is less than the average rainfall of the world • In this Era of global warming and Climate change, there is need for a holistic approach in interacting with water
Introduction • The research is based at Mukula community • It investigates the factors that threatens water as a resource paying attention to: • IAPs • Water conservation • Integrated water management • Biodiversity • Climate change and global warming
Identification of factors that threatens water resources in Mukula community • 1. IAP • Use lot of water • Eliminate indigenous species • 2. Global warming and climate change • Causes:*Burningof waste papers, crop residues and bushes • Releases gases into the atmosphere • Gases such as Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, etc
Effects of increased gases • Temperature will rise through Green House Effect • Therefore, evaporation will also increase • Water (resource) will be depleted • Thus, decreasing biodiversity (aquatic life) • In view of water conservation; the issue of burning is unsustainable
3. Water Pollution • Massive washing of clothes in the river • It increases phosphate levels from soaps • This lead to eutrophication and algal booming • In turn, it lead to choking of a river • Algae will decompose and reduce oxygen level • This will kill biodiversity (aquatic life) • Affects people’s health as portable water is not always available. • Fertilizers' from the crop fields • Villagers lack knowledge of proper fertilizer application • This result in the above-mentioned problem (eutrophication)
4.Waste management(lead to water pollution) • Improper disposal of metallic materials • The piles of metals on school yard are subject to corrosion and produce rust or iron (III) oxide which is washed to a nearby river (Mbwedi River) • This affect water quality and biodiversity in water • Unsustainable dumping of paint and paint tins • The solvent in paint gets into the soil and washed to Mbwedi River • This also causes water pollution and kills aquatic life
Procedures followed to solve the problem • We engaged the community to prepare composts instead of burning the crop residues • This will give them compost manure and eliminate artificial fertilizers and its associated problems • We conducted an awareness in the community on problems of bush burning and ways to avoid it. (Examples) • It destroy biodiversity • It releases GHGs • It causes soil erosion
Activities done inside the class • We teach learners about the importance of water • We explain to them how IAPs, global warming, pollution and waste disposal affects our water resources
Activities done inside the class And then we gave them a class work task (Some of the questions we ask) How can you and your community save water? How will it affect your life if water in the river next to where you stay is polluted? What is your view in respect to the Alien Plants?
Activities done outside the classroom • Educator and learners on site where different wastes are burnt at the school.
Challenges • Lack of cameras and access to computers • Difficulty in organizing the community members • Community members were not willing to let us take photos of them
Way forward • We are still looking for paper and plastic recycling businesses • That's where we can send the waste papers and plastics rather than burning them at school • We are still to engage the scrape dealers who can come and collect the ores at our school • We will assist in creating awareness in the neighboring schools and community
Recommendations • As part of the project we are aiming at eradicating the IAP species identified wherein learners will be involved • We will also embark on campaigns to teach people to recycle and re-use rather than burning waste materials and that will be done in community gatherings and the learners will also be the ambassadors. • Educating communities on issues of sustainability • Government should enforce strict laws to those who washed their clothes inside the river and also those who burn crop residues and bushes • Heavy punishment for those who do not comply with the law
Conclusion • There are too many unsustainable activities in the community which require corrective actions • People in our area lack knowledge