African Unification Front
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R.B.Os & WATERSHED MANAGEMENT IN THE AFRICAN UNION
There are many River Basin Organizations in the African Union that compliment the functions of the various states ministries in charge of national water planning. However, most of organizations depend heavily on foreign aid and credit lines. The funding agencies include USAID, CIDA, IDRC and others. There funding is undependable due to the international political and trade dynamics, the goals of funders can be at cross-purposes with the goals of African self-determination, moreover it is not long-term and Africans will have to do without aid in the future.
RBOs AND NGOs INVOLVED IN WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
[1] UNEP (Kenya)
[2] SADEC (Lesotho)
[3]Direction des Ressources en Eau et de la Météorologie - DREM
Ministère des Mines, de l'Energie, du Pétrole et de l'Hydraulique
[4] Commission du Bassin du Lac Tchad/Lake Chad Basin Commission
[5] O.B.K. Oranisation du Bassin de la rivière KAGERA (Rwanda)
[6] Coast Development Authority (Kenya)
[7] EWASO NGIRO North Development Authority (Kenya)
[8] EWASO NGIRO South Development Authority (Kenya)
[9] Tana & Athi Rivers Development Authority (Kenya)
[10] Ministère de l'Energie et de l'Environnement DN Hydraulique (Guinea)
[11] Ministère des Infrastructures Economiques (cote d'Ivoire)
[12] Ministère de l'Environnement et de l'Eau (Burkina Faso)
[13] Ministère de l'Equipement et de l'Aménagement du Territoire
[14] River Gambia Harnessing Organisation
[15] River Senegal Harnessing Organization
[16] Nile Basin Association
[17] African Water Network, Nairobi.
[18] Commission on Sustainable Development, United Nations
[19] FAO - Water and Agriculture
[20] Global Water Partnership
[21] International Institute for Land Reclamation and Improvement
[22] International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, New Dehli.
[23] UNESCO, Division of Water Sciences
[24] World Water Council
[25] Zambezi River Organization
[26] Kagera River Basin Authority
[27] Lesotho Highlands Water Project
[28] Volta River Authority
CASE STUDY
Umgeni Water is the largest catchment-based water utility in southern Africa, providing safe water to an area of 24 000 km2 in KwaZulu-Natal. Primarily a bulk water supplier, Umgeni Water stores, abstracts, treats and supplies high quality water to customers in Pietermaritzburg, Durban and surrounding areas. Umgeni treat wastewater to safeguard water sources against pollution.
Umgeni Water has recognised that the use of materials is an essential component of our initiative to achieve sustainable development, and has begun to collect data on materials usage. Currently, we have reliable data for the use of chemicals for treating water for potable use and for wastewater treatment. We strive to increase the procurement and use of recycled material whenever feasible. Plans to add recycled paper as a stores item are under way.
The organisation's energy consumption during the reporting period (16 months) was approximately 86 GWh. Only at Darvill Wastewater Works is the organisation able to capture methane from sludge digesters and use it for heating purposes. Energy management has been identified as a priority issue which should be addressed in our business strategy. During the year, we will introduce a campaign to raise staff awareness of the importance of energy efficiency. Umgeni Water has a fleet of 255 vehicles, of which 40% use diesel fuel and the rest use leaded petrol. There is no corporate policy relating to the use of unleaded fuel. The total mileage for the year 1998/99 was 3,77 million km. This is 17,5 percent less than last year.
The most important emissions to atmosphere are carbon dioxide, sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides via the usage of electricity. Methane emissions from sewage sludge treatment are relatively insignificant due to the few wastewater works operated. The priority is to improve usage of electricity, as any saving would reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases. Where possible, vehicle mileage will be reduced.
Corporate emissions resulting from electricity consumption:
Carbon dioxide 83, 248 tonnes
Nitrogen dioxide 822,891 kg
Sulphur dioxide 347,747 kg
Supply of pollutants is based on average figures for power stations in South Africa.
Large amounts of energy are used for pumping of water and wastewater. Waste minimisation is encouraged at all levels of operation. Staff are encouraged to reduce office waste by using electronic mail for communication instead of memos and by printing documents in duplex. Waste contractors are employed to dispose of all hazardous waste that is generated from the laboratories, workshops and wastewater works. This is mostly waste oil and organic waste. Screenings from the wastewater works are disposed of at a municipal dump site.
The waste recycling programme, REDUCE, continues to be a success. It started as a paper recycling initiative in 1996, and now has can, plastic and glass recycling initiatives. Proceeds from this programme are used in sponsoring local community environmental initiatives. The amount of paper that was recycled is 32,6 tonnes.
At the Darville Wastewater Works the treatment of wastewater and the disposal of wastewater sludge often results in the emission of odorous gases into the settlements.
In accordance with Umgeni Water’s Environmental Policy, Msinsi Holdings (Pty) Ltd continues to manage the land areas surrounding six of Umgeni Water’s estates, namely Shongweni, Nagle, Inanda, Hazelmere, Albert Falls Dams, and the bird sanctuary at the Darvill Wastewater Works. In a unique environmental programme involving the people of the neighbouring communities, a vital and delicate balance is being achieved between conservation imperatives and human needs.
Co-operative community development has enabled Msinsi to facilitate training opportunities and participate in environmental education. At the Reserves, wilderness trails for children have proved to be very rewarding. Educational tours to Zimbabwe for community leaders and decision-makers to experience, first-hand, principles which have uplifted communities and eco-tourism in their country, have improved their capacity.
Children from schools around Reserves are taken on educational trails led by Msinsi’s Environmental Education Officer. Self-guided trails in the Reserves are available offering sights of birds and antelope.
Stocking of game is in progress at all the Reserves and visitors to Shongweni and Albert Falls Resources Reserves can enjoy rewarding game drives.
Comprehensive environmental management plans have been drawn up for each estate, and development and monitoring continues. Conservation initiatives have been implemented at all the Reserves with the eradication of invasive alien vegetation, restoration of indigenous plants and the introduction of game.
The "Working for Water" project has boosted Msinsi’s invasive alien vegetation eradication programme, and provided employment and training opportunities for the neighbouring communities. Msinsi also has representation on, and participates in several Integrated Catchment Management initiatives.
Members of the neighbouring communities around Shongweni Resources Reserve enjoy the final match of the "Peace and Reconciliation Cup" initiated 5 years ago, sponsored and hosted by Msinsi Holdings at Edameni Village.
Shongweni Resources Reserve now boasts two of the "Big Five", namely rhino and buffalo. Nagle Resources Reserve hosted the National Canoe Flat-water Racing event and continues to support the Canoe Federation’s sports development programme with groups of young canoeists training on the dam. Due to public demand and, in conjunction with the community leaders, Inanda Resources Reserve’s Mahlabathini Park has been doubled in size, and together with Albert Falls Resources Reserve hosts major bass fishing tournaments attracting in the region of 200 boats. Hazelmere Resources Reserve continues to monitor the sand-mining issues and, working closely with sand-miners, strives to minimise the impact of sand-mining operations in the Hazelmere Dam. Darvill Resources Park has built bird hides around the ponds and provides guided trails for visitors. The accompanying grid shows all visitor facilities available at all the Reserves .
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