Merge to manage water more proactive

The Amanzimtoti and Isipingo Catchment Management Forums (CMF) have merged. Community members and stakeholders across all spheres of government and civil society met recently and amalgamated the two stakeholder forums responsible for participation in water resource management in the Durban South Basin and Upper South Coast regions.

Reverend Andrew Manning will chair the forum, which the department of water affairs and sanitation facilitates as part of its mandate under the National Water Act, to establish Catchment Management Agencies (CMA), of which the forums form an integral part.

“The CMA exists to provide a platform for integrated water resource management, ensuring equitable access to water. The objective of the water act is not focused at local level supply of water, but at sustainable management of water resources to ensure an adequate bulk supply from the country’s limited water resources. Therefore the management of surface and groundwater is critical, as is the development of recycling and prevention of water loss and alternatives to reduce water usage,” said Manning.

The CMF is a consultative forum providing a platform for government departments at national and provincial level together with bulk water suppliers, local municipalities, industry and civil society to engage on the critical aspect of water management. “Most of South Africa is water stressed, but the KZN area, especially with climate change, will see higher rainfall figures and increased storm intensity. It is essential therefore that the different areas, called catchments, are managed at a local level to deal with the catchment specific issues. Water management issues on the highveld and on the coast are very different and therefore need to be dealt with differently,” said Manning.

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The CMF provides a platform for this emphasis on local issues, to be incorporated into the CMA’s strategy. At the recent round of forum meetings, the decision was taken to merge the Isipingo and Amanzimtoti forums into one structure that can manage the issues from the Isipingo to Lovu rivers. The four primary rivers being Isipingo, eZimbokodweni, Amanzimtoti, Little Amanzimtoti and Lovu rivers.

“The entire river system from source to sea is considered. Land use affects river health in many ways, as the river is the recipient of the runoff, which is contaminated by agriculture and industry, litter, chemicals, sewerage and other by-products of our lifestyle. Sadly, the biggest negative impact on river systems at present in South Africa is sewage. On the KZN coast plastic pollution is also a huge problem, and the CMF is very pleased to be working with Clean Surf Project and the major plastic producers’ representatives to develop an intervention to deal with this pollution.

“An increasing issue, which we have become acutely aware of after the floods of the past three years, is stormwater management. The intensity of storms and the alteration of natural drainage through the building of roads, houses and other infrastructure has a severe impact on our area. High levels of litter block our stormwater system and we are seeing increasing damage from banks collapsing and stormwater drains unable to cope with high flows. Therefore, improved management of stormwater will be a key factor in the water resource management strategy.

“The CMF is a forum which enables us as local population to integrate our concerns and needs with those of the designated departments of government, at all levels, responsible for water resource management and hold all stakeholders accountable for the implementation of the national water resource strategy,” said Manning.

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The public is reminded that water issues such as leaking pipes and pollution spills can be reported via email to eservices@durban.gov.za or WhatsApp the fault to 073-148-3477, preferably with a photo and the exact whereabouts. Use either the numbers on the lamp posts or road markings. Take a photo of this and attached it too.

Manning encourages residents and local water users to participate, and additional information on meetings and opportunity to raise issues of concern related to water resource management will be circulated regularly in the SUN. The Amanzimtoti Conservancy Facebook page will also be used to disseminate information.

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