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Projects & Initiatives - GARDAG participates in National Citizen Science Project

GARDAG participates in National Citizen Science Project

The University of KwaZulu-Natal and GroundTruth are collaborating to undertake a project commissioned by the Water Research Commission with funding from UNICEF on The State of Citizen Science for Water Quality Monitoring in southern Africa.  

The University of KwaZulu-Natal and GroundTruth are collaborating to undertake a project commissioned by the Water Research Commission with funding from UNICEF on The State of Citizen Science for Water Quality Monitoring in southern Africa.

This project aims to generate data to inform SDG reporting, specifically targeting SDG 6.3.2, which deals with monitoring of water bodies with good ambient water quality, while a national State of Rivers Report from a citizen science perspective will be generated. The report will address another critical dimension in meeting SDG target 6.b: 'Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.

According to GroundTruth, Stats SA in 2019 reported that "South Africa's reporting ability on this indicator has been reduced by the lack of data, limited monitoring because of lack of funding and resource mobilisation, and to a certain degree the inability to coordinate monitoring across various sectors, government departments and public sector institutions".

This lack of monitoring has impacted on the Blue and Green Drop standards, in which the requirement for monitoring has been removed. This is of great concern, as monitoring is key to understanding water quality. Gardag is participating in this project, by undertaking monitoring in the six major rivers of the George area: Gwaing, Skaapkop, Meul, Swart, Kaaimans and Touw.

The Gwaing and Kaaimans are important rivers for fish breeding. Despite the ecological importance of these rivers, the Western Cape Government reports in the Gwaing River Estuarine Management Plan (2019) that “There are no known ecological monitoring or research programmes (e.g. fish or birds, etc.) currently being undertaken for the Gwaing River estuary. Currently there is no compliance monitoring taking place on the Gwaing River estuary due the remoteness of the estuary.”

The national State of Rivers (SoR) Report will be written by the UKZN and GroundTruth, but an opportunity exists to write a local SoR. Gardag wants to invite citizens of George to participate in the project. Anybody – retired professionals, teachers, students, schools – anybody with an interest in the state of our rivers can participate. Activities would range from undertaking water samples to data logging and report writing.

Training is available.

Gardag is hosting a golf day on 15 August 2024 to raise funds toward purchasing monitoring kits. To participate in any of these activities, please contact us on admin@gardag.org.za. Our volunteers will be quick to respond.

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contact details

Name: Ms. Desiree du Preez

Business phone: +27 66 232 9264

Mobile: +27 66 232 9264

Email Enquiry: gardag21@gmail.com


GARDAG participates in National Citizen Science Project
The University of KwaZulu-Natal and GroundTruth are collaborating to undertake a project commissioned by the Water Research Commission with funding from UNICEF on The State of Citizen Science for Water Quality Monitoring in southern Africa.This project aims to generate data to inform SDG reporting, specifically targeting SDG 6.3.2, which deals with monitoring of water bodies with good ambient water quality, while a national State of Rivers Report from a citizen science perspective will be generated. The report will address another critical dimension in meeting SDG target 6.b: 'Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.

According to GroundTruth, Stats SA in 2019 reported that "South Africa's reporting ability on this indicator has been reduced by the lack of data, limited monitoring because of lack of funding and resource mobilisation, and to a certain degree the inability to coordinate monitoring across various sectors, government departments and public sector institutions".

This lack of monitoring has impacted on the Blue and Green Drop standards, in which the requirement for monitoring has been removed. This is of great concern, as monitoring is key to understanding water quality. Gardag is participating in this project, by undertaking monitoring in the six major rivers of the George area: Gwaing, Skaapkop, Meul, Swart, Kaaimans and Touw.

The Gwaing and Kaaimans are important rivers for fish breeding. Despite the ecological importance of these rivers, the Western Cape Government reports in the Gwaing River Estuarine Management Plan (2019) that “There are no known ecological monitoring or research programmes (e.g. fish or birds, etc.) currently being undertaken for the Gwaing River estuary. Currently there is no compliance monitoring taking place on the Gwaing River estuary due the remoteness of the estuary.”

The national State of Rivers (SoR) Report will be written by the UKZN and GroundTruth, but an opportunity exists to write a local SoR. Gardag wants to invite citizens of George to participate in the project. Anybody – retired professionals, teachers, students, schools – anybody with an interest in the state of our rivers can participate. Activities would range from undertaking water samples to data logging and report writing.

Training is available.

Gardag is hosting a golf day on 15 August 2024 to raise funds toward purchasing monitoring kits. To participate in any of these activities, please contact us on admin@gardag.org.za. Our volunteers will be quick to respond.


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contact details

Name: Ms. Desiree du Preez

Business phone: +27 66 232 9264

Mobile: +27 66 232 9264

Email Enquiry: gardag21@gmail.com


https://gardag.org.za

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GARDAG WATER MONITORING PROGRAMME

Good data is an invaluable resource in confirming the health of our water resources.

The Garden Route area is under increasing pressure from development and the blue and green drop water reports are biased to what the George Local Municipality must report as a minimum.

Other governmental agencies’ monitoring points are sparse and often monitor only background / ambient / unimpacted areas. The GARDAG monitoring programme aims to create a baseline of independent data to either confirm or challenge the available information, as well as add to the sustainable development of the area, to not reach a future the available water resources cannot support.

 

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GARDAG Water Monitoring Results 2024

In OUR backyard - George

In the past, GARDAG undertook a series of water samples to refine our understanding of impacts from urban pollution and potentially Stage 6 loadshedding on the Garden Route area.
The tests were undertaken over a period, at points that were highlighted as impacted.  Ideally these tests should be undertaken on the same day of every month, but time and financial limitations dictated the monitoring frequency. During 2024, monitoring was increased and some of the active monitoring points are measured more regularly. This post discusses the results from the previous monitoring events, up to November 2024.

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From Streams to Reservoirs

The 213 Year journey of Water Supply in George

When Adrianus Gysbertus van Kervel was appointed to establish the town of George in 1811, he made securing a steady water supply his top priority. Along with land surveyor JH Koopman, van Kervel explored the Outeniqua mountains and discovered a perennial stream, laying the foundation for George's water supply.

READ THE FULL STORY

The History of George’s Water Supply George’s water supply has always originated in the mountain towering above the city. In 1811, Adrianus Gysbertus van Kervel, the founder of George, explored the Outeniqua mountains along with land surveyor JH Koopman in search of a water source.

A year later, a network of furrows was constructed to channel water from a perennial stream into Caledon Street and down York Street, creating a basic network for the town’s water supply. In 1850, the Van Kervel Dam, which still exists in the Garden Route Botanical Garden, was built to store water from the furrow. Although this water became polluted, it was the main water source for the town for 71 years.

The Waterhouse stone reservoir was completed in 1883, from which water was piped for the first time.

Development and Expansion

As the population of George grew alongside a burgeoning timber industry, the first arch-type concrete Westkloof Dam was completed in 1925. This dam still exists and can be visited by hikers.

Just 14 years later, the George Dam, also known as the Swart River Dam, was built in 1939, coinciding with the onset of World War II. The George Dam was raised in 1955 but faced issues with leaks. It wasn’t until 1980, during a severe drought, that the Garden Route Dam was constructed at a cost of R2 million. Remarkably, shortly after its completion, heavy rains filled the dam to capacity.

The wall of the Garden Route Dam was raised by Zutari in 2020, increasing its capacity by 25%. The raising of the wall required innovative design of its spillway to allow for the increased capacity while improving the safety of the dam. The new duckbill spillway is curved, creating a spillway that is 80 m longer than the original one.

Challenges and Rehabilitation

Crime and Environmental Degradation

The area around the Garden Route Dam became plagued by crime, with squatters using the adjacent municipal pine forest for shelter. Following incidents of violence, the dam became a no-go zone for years.

To address safety concerns, the George Active Recreation Development and Action Group (GARDAG) organized various community events to turn the area into a valuable recreation area. In 2005, the municipal pine trees were harvested, leading to a significant reduction in vagrants.

However, this also resulted in illegal dumping, including medical waste, prompting GARDAG to push for the dam to be declared a National Key Point. This never succeeded, but the Municipality did eventually improve security to reduce crime in the area. Environmental Rehabilitation

The dam’s island, initially overrun by invasive black wattle, became a focus for environmental rehabilitation. During a drought, GARDAG collaborated with local schools to remove the invasive species and plant indigenous trees, although challenges with water access hindered early efforts.

Water Supply Crisis and Pollution

Droughts and Diversification

George has faced significant droughts over the past two centuries, with the most severe occurring in 2009. In response, the municipality sought to diversify water sources, pumping water from nearby rivers and drilling boreholes on mountain slopes.

Controversially, the municipality also attempted to recycle sewage water, which sparked public outcry due to health concerns. Despite opposition, the recycling plant was established but later mothballed due to high operational costs. Pollution and Legal Actions Pollution from the Kat River, a major feeder for the dam, has been a long-standing issue.

Reports highlighted toxic runoff from the Denneoord Purification Works. Thanks to advocacy from local environmental groups, the municipality was compelled to address these pollution issues by constructing new settling dams.

Recent Developments

After delays due to environmental concerns, the raising of the dam’s spillway and wall was completed in January 2020, increasing its capacity by 25%. This project received accolades for its engineering excellence. However, proposals for commercial development around the dam raised alarms about potential pollution risks.

Despite public opposition, development plans were approved, leading GARDAG to seek legal recourse to challenge these decisions. As of mid-2024, the George community awaited the outcome regarding the environmental authorizations granted for these developments.

GARDAG WINS!

There were cheers and applause as Desiree du Preez, GARDAG Chairperson, Delivered a Surprise Announcement at their annual Golf Day fundraising event hosted by the George Golf club. Victory for GARDAG in the ongoing Court Battle to Protect the Garden Route Dam from proposed development by the George municipality and the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs, in a landmark ruling by the Cape Town High Court.

Looking Ahead

As George continues to grow, the pressure on its water supply intensifies. The municipality must prioritize sustainable water management strategies and consider the long-term impacts of climate change on the region’s water resources. There is a pressing need for innovative solutions to ensure a pollution-free water supply and to preserve green spaces for future generations, reflecting a commitment to both environmental stewardship and community well-being.

 

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IMPORTANT UPDATE: UPGRADE OF THE EXISTING EDEN SEWAGE PUMP STATION

DEADLINE 24 FEBRUARY 2025
NOTICE OF PROPOSED PART 4 AMENDMENT OF THE EMPr NO-GO MAP & START OF THE 30-DAY COMMENTING PERIOD –THE UPGRADE OF THE EXISTING EDEN SEWAGE PUMP STATION, ON ERVEN RE/5987, 6013 AND 6014, GEORGE, WESTERN CAPE
DOWNLOAD THE PDF
DEADP REF: 16/3/3/5/D2/17/0000/25

 Update on the Eden Pump Station
UPGRADE OF THE EXISTING EDEN SEWAGE PUMP STATION ON ERVEN RE/5987, 6013 AND 6014, GEORGE (REF: 16/3/3/5/D2/17/0000/25)
Desiree du Preez, chairperson of GARDAG has been in contact with Michael Bennet, Sharples Environmental Services to request more information regarding the proposed changes to the existing infrastructure at the Eden Sewage Pump Station in Dikkop street, Eden.
“We are happy to report that he willingly provided answers to our questions by explaining that the existing stormwater pipe needs to be lowered to accommodate the new sewer pipe,” said Desiree. 

Based on his communication with us, GARDAG took a look at the proposal and will be requesting that the plans are amended to protect the trees located in the vicinity and not widen the construction area next to the dam on the pump station side.

Pauline Lourens of Friends of the Kat River mentioned that this would be more conducive for the flow at the Kat River as well.

These are the issues that are often above the understanding of most residents so we are proud to be able to assess these types of proposals in conjunction with the authorities on behalf of the residents of George.
Remember our focus has always been on water quality and we conduct regular testing at the dam and at other important sites that supply water to the residents of George. Testing kits and analysis are costly and GARDAG is a non-profit organisation that relies on donations and volunteers.


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Sharples Environmental Services cc (SES) has been appointed by the George Municipality (“the Applicant”) to apply for a Part 4 amendment of the EMPr and to undertake the Public Participation Process as part of the application.
 
The applicant proposes to amend the No-Go Map (Figure 7) of the EMPr in order to allow for an existing stormwater pipe to be lowered to accommodate the levels required for a new pipe which will cross the existing pipe. Please refer to the attached Amended EMPr for the revised No-Go Map (Figure 7). The management objectives of the EMPr will therefore slightly change as the No-Go Map will change.
 
As a registered Interested and Affected Party you are hereby notified that the amended EMPr for the above-mentioned project is now available for review and comment, till 24 February 2025.
 
The Amended EMPr is attached to this email.
 
You are hereby invited to submit any comments (positive or negative) you may have on the Amended EMPr in writing to Michael Bennett using the contact details provided below. To submit comments, please send your full name, contact details, preferred method of contact, an indication of any direct business, financial, personal or other interest which you may have in the application, and any comments you would like taken into consideration.
 
PLEASE NOTE: In terms of the POPI Act of 2013, by registering as a I&AP and commenting, your name and comment will be made public.
 
Written comments must be received by Sharples Environmental Services on/before 24 February 2025. Don't hesitate to contact Michael Bennett at michael@sescc.net or 044 873 4923 if you require any further information, or have any questions relating to this project.