Sameer Morar Programme Manager Rand Water: Implementing Agent

1. Sameer MorarProgramme ManagerRand Water: Implementing Agent HARTBEESPOORT DAM INTEGRATED BIOLOGICAL REMEDIATION PROGRAMME WISA Conference 2010 www.dwa.gov.za/harties

2. Presentation Outline • Geographical Orientation & Statistics • Problem Statement • Challenges • Programme Background • Programme Structure

3. Geographical Location • Republic of South Africa • Crocodile West Marico Catchment • Hartbeespoort Dam • Bojanala District Municipality • Madibeng Local Municipality

4. WMA 3: Crocodile (West) and Marico - Land Use CWM-WMA total population estimated ± 4.9 million people (1995 data). • Lower Crocodile: 150 000 people • Apies-Pienaars Sub-area: 2.2 million people Elands River Sub-area: 370 000 people • Upper Crocodile Sub-area: 2.2 million people

5. Hartbeespoort Dam 1 of 9 Hypertrophy in RSA • 7 of 9 in Crocodile Marico Catchments ●

6. What is a hypertrophic dam? Excessively enriched by the nutrients phosphate & nitrogen SolarRadiation & Temp Wind, Turbidity, Vegetation, Foodweb where algal growth is limited byphysicalorbiologicalconditions

7. Hartbeespoort Dam 2016 hectares

8. Infrastructure - Hartbeespoort Dam • Catchment Area: 4 112 km2 • Mean Annual Rainfall: 670 mm • Mean Annual Evaporation: 1 690 (S) / 1 246 (D) • Mean Annual Run-off: 163 million m3 • Surface Area: 2 016 ha • Full Supply Capacity: 195 million m3 • Firm Yield (1990): 158 million m3 • Urban runoff/return flows: 103 million m3 • Wall height: 59 m • Crest length: 101 m

9. What does Hartbeespoort Dam Look like?

13. Impactsand Challenges • Health Risk • Environmental • Smell • Recreational • Water Purification • Property Development • Downstream water use and loss

14. Problem Statement • 700+ Mega Liters of purified sewage p/d • 280+ tons of phosphate p/a. • Depleted riparian variation & in-stream habitat • Shrinking wetlands • Toxic microcystis algal blooms • Exotic water plants (Hyacinths) • Exotic fish (Carp, Barbel, Canary Kurper) • Distorted food web and fish population • Depleted diversity in catchment and dam • Impacts from Desertification / Social Drought

15. USAGE FROM DAM Volume = 176 mil m³ Concentration total P = 0.17 mg/l Load total P =29 920 kg/a IN HARTEBEESPOORT DAM: Full level Volume = 205 mil m³ Concentration total P = 0.122 mg/l Load total P =25 010 kg CROCODILE RIVER Average inflow (Volume ) = 170 mil m³ ? Average PO4 concentration = 0.12 mg/l Modelled load PO4 =166 000 kg/a (80 - 300 x10³) Point discharges = 620 Ml x 365 days x 1.0 mg/l =226 300 kg/a Direct discharges =440 Ml/d x 365 days x 1.0 mg/l = 160 600 kg/a HARTBEESPOORT DAM TOTAL PHOSPHATE MASS BALANCE HARTEBEESPOORT DAM SEDIMENTS Volume =(i) 194,6 mil m³ TP or = (ii) 2062 ha x 20 cm Total P = (i) 1230 mg/kg or bio-avail. PO4= (ii) 0.44 mg/kg (580 ?) Load P = (i)1,79 X108 kg or Bio-avail. = (ii)881 kg (1 195 653 kg) MAGALIES RIVER Volume = 18 mil m³ Concentration total P = 0.0582 mg/l Load total P =1047 kg/a ?INCOMING SEDIMENTS

16. THE PROGRAMME... HARTBEESPOORT DAM INTEGRATED BIOLOGICAL REMEDIATION PROGRAMME (HDRP)

17. INITIATION OF HBP DAM REMEDIATION PROJECT • State of Hbp Dam: implications on tourism industry in NW, economical growth, environmental and human health • NW Gov allocated budget of R1.3 mil in 2004 • Broad objective: NWP in collaboration with other dept wants specialist study + recommendations to address problems with WQ of Hbp Dam • Request for proposals in April 2003

18. PROJECT HISTORY • Activities started on 25 Aug ’03 and last submission was in Mar ’05 • 2 main final reports: • Action Plan (2 volumes) – Oct ’04 • Fish Community Study HBPD – Feb ’05 • Publish Plan – Env Man Series 5 – Oct ’05 • DWAF appoint RW implementing agent Jun ’06 • DG DWAF instruct fast tracking – May ’07

19. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS • Microcystin levels in cyanobacterial algae threat to human & environmental health at times • Uncontrolled development increases pressure: Integrated Catchment Management • Dedicated & Committed management structure – Water Management Institutions and CMA’s • NB: Every relevant authority must take up responsibility for their mandate CONDITIONS IN THE DAM CAN BE IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY

20. SUMMARY OF FINDINGSMAIN ISSUES IDENTIFIED • Water quality management (point and non-point sources) • Fisheries management (bio-manipulation) • Recreational Activity Control & Boating regulations • Recreational access opportunities • Ecologically valuable areas & land management • Public awareness & education programs

21. MANAGEMENT MEASURESWATER QUALITY • Enhance wastewater treatment: external P loading to be reduced • Improve management of urban & farming activities • Study required to assess remediation of sediment in dam • Physical removal of algal scums • Regular monitoring of microcystin levels • Possible instream treatment - Croc River

22. MANAGEMENT MEASURESFISHERIES Community based fisheries: • First 2 years – carp and catfish • Estimated annual income is R 768 000-R 1 152 000 for 1st year and R 1 536 00-R 2 304 000 for 2nd yr • Third year – Mozambique tilapia • Estimated income is R 3 840 000 – R 11 520 000, depending on amount of fish (200 – 300 t/y) and market price (R10 - 20/kg)

23. MANAGEMENT MEASURESRECREATIONAL USE • Zoning of dam • Boating regulations • Fishing regulations • Public access • Develop & implement Resource ManagementPlan (RMP) – 3rd draft Feb 2010

24. MANAGEMENT MEASURESECOLOGICALLY VALUABLE AREAS • Shoreline habitat assessment & management plan • Shoreline and wetland restoration • Revegetation • Establishment of Floating wetlands

25. Implementation • Draft 1 BP Oct 2006 • BP Feb 2007 • Draft 1 fast track BP May 2007 • Draft 2 fast track BP July 2007 • BP 2007/08 Oct 2007 • BP 2008/09 Oct 2008 • BP 2009/10 • BP 2010/15 April 2010

26. Overall Objectives: HDRP • Implement IWRM principals in Catchment to enhance Growth, Development and Work Creation. • Determine, Optimise & Manage Physical and Biological conditions in the dam to ensure reduction in algae (blue-green) and biomass.

27. Job Creation • Established jobs: • 19 people as part of shoreline & floating islands • 47 people as part of algae and hyacinth & debris removal • In process: SME Development • Large opportunities during Silt removal • Recycling project will create jobs for local communities – vermiculture • Aqua Culture, Recreation Guiding & Fly Fishing

28. Capacity Building • DWA Regional Staff knowledge transfer • Develop & implement tools to improve cooperative governance in terms of Environmental & Water Authorisations • Communities, Mining & Industry, Local Authorities to implement waste minimisation, recycling and rainwater harvesting. • SME development: Floating Islands • Organic recycling & vermiculture • Sediment treatment

29. Operational Challenges Timing 3 years extensive implementation program towards institutional development: Regulate recreational use and implement RMP Biomass management, labour vs. mechanised Establish artificial vegetation – floating wetlands (Resourse Q uality Objectives) Point source vs. catchment management Water allocation: – fluctuating level & Operating rules – Socio Economic impact balanced with G&D • Alternatives • Research & Development • Interdependencies • Practical implementation • Cost benefit analyses

30. Overarching Infrastructure Focus Areas Inter Governmental Forum(HDSC) Project Management (HDCC/PCO) Communication and Awareness Communication Centre Interactive Website School Projects Integrated Monitoring Programme Data & Information Management Supporting Research & Development Environmental Management Fund Raising & Sponsorhip • Dambasin Focus Areas • Fisheries management and monitoring • Biomass Management • Control and removal of Algae and Hyacinths • Shoreline vegetation • Floating mezocosms • Control of recreational activities • Assistance and enforcements • Sediment management • Resource Management Plan • Water Management Institute • Catchment Management Focus Areas • River water diversion and treatment options (pre-impoundment) • Wetlands and riverbank remediation • Phosphate reduction at source and compliance • Aquaculture hub • Vermiculture • Fly fishing • Waste minimisation • Socio-economic model • Compliance and enforcement

32. Programme Coordination • Project Co-ordination Office (PCO) • Office Management • Administration and Invoicing • Steering Committee and Development of IGF • Coordination Committee • General Coordination & Programme Meetings (Internal) • Programme Meetings (External) • Documentation and Reporting

33. Foodweb Restructuring a c) b d e f g h i • Fish • Removed substantial volume • Decline in carp/catfish • Zooplankton • Increase in species Daphnia pulex/D magna • Phytoplanton • Microcystis replaced as dominant species (Jul – Nov) • Filamentous algae in littoral zone (evident of positive plant succession) Energy and nutrient flow more efficient

34. Dam Basin Projects Species Composition Oreochromis mossambicus (Mozambique Tilapia) Chetia flaviventris (Canary Kurper) Tilapia sparrmanii (Banded Tilapia) Pseudocrenilabrus philander (Southern Mouthbrooder) Micropterus salmoides (Largemouth Bass) Barbus unitaeniatus (Longbeard Barb) Barbus paludinosus (Straightfin Barb) Cyprinus carpio (Carp) Labeobarbus marequensis (Largescale Yellowfish) Labeobarbus polylepis (Smallscale Yellowfish) Barbus trimaculatus (Threespot Barb) Clarias gariepinus (Sharptooth Catfish) Barbus mattozi (Papermouth)

35. Dam Basin Projects Evaluation of the Trophic Structure of the Fish Community

36. Dam Basin Projects Restructuring the Fish Community

37. Biomass Removal • Prioritised Areas • Dam wall • Crocodile River inlet • Magalies River inlet • Leeuwen Spruit inlet • Removal of: • Algae & hyacinth • Debris & litter

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40. Litter and Debris Removal Objectives: Remove where possible urban litter and debris (visible solid waste) emanating from the urban environment in the catchment • Deliverables • Assessment of where litter and debris are generated • Implement a pilot litter trap in the Crocodile (upstream of dam) • Challenges • Effective trapping of urban litter & debris which obstruct algal and hyacinth harvesting • Operation and maintenance

41. Vermiculture Why do we need VermiCulture? • The average person produces approximately 1 ton organic waste/year • Vermiculture = most effective means of waste management • Vermiculture using compost worms can achieve waste elimination and value added conversion on the same site forever. • Value added products derived from Vermiculture • Solid vermicast (Organic Compost) • Liquid vermicast (Organic Liquid Fertilizer) • Surplus worms for further process enhancement • Vermiculture: A Solution for Organic Waste • Vermiculture can be utilised as a solution for the treatment of organic waste in the following sectors: • Domestic Agricultural • Industrial Commercial

42. Biomass Removal • Roodeplaat Dam Achievements • Created income for 27 local people. • Remove 8 616 tons of hyacinths at dam wall and inlet. • Construct (Prototype 3: R5 – 600/m) 790m of booms. • Construct 3,500m containment booms (R32/m).

43. Shoreline Vegetation Objectives: Re-establish shoreline vegetation along the rivers and dam to enhance micro habitats for fish, control pollution and prevent erosion Deliverables • Preparation of shoreline for planting when water level drops • Large portions of Magalies River has been prepared for rehabilitation. • Plant species have been identified & are collected from local rivers & alternative wetlands. • Challenges • Full scale planting will commence as soon as the dam water level drops. (September to November) • Educate Local Land Owners as to shoreline rehabilitation requirements. • Excessive hyacinth growth

44. Areas identified for shoreline vegetation

45. Establishing Shoreline Vegetation

46. Floating Wetlands Objectives: Establish habitat to support foodweb restructuring – enhance zooplankton and macro-invertebrates. Supplement floating wetlands for equivalent degraded shoreline. • Deliverables • 600 x 20 m2 floating wetland units during the year • Distribute the wetlands to respective shoreline locations where they will be the most effective • Establish enough plant stock to supply different requirements • Challenges • Protection and Management • Algae build-up within the islands • Support from shoreline property owners

47. Biomass Establishment Shoreline severely impacted Need to be replaced with floating wetlands

48. Wetlands Objectives: Restoring of biodiversity in the wetlands and rivers & preservation of them. Storm water reduction, dissipation & retention reducing sediments • Deliverables • Compiled Info booklet, Factsheet & Posters. • Identified 9 new wetlands at HBPD. • Compiled Concept doc, Main strategy, Artificial wetlands roll-out strategy & HBPD wetlands roll-out strategy. • Arranged World Wetland Day 2 Feb 2008 fieldtrip for Remediation Team. • Arranged “Wetlands Team” Workshop June 2007. • Obtained commitment from WfWetlands, WfWater and Rand Water Foundation • Part of Team to arrange and host Wetland Awareness Weeks in May 2009 for Schools, Developers & Specialist Task Team • Advantages • Diminish amount of toxic algae that occurs in HBPD. • Maintaining surface water flow during dry periods & storing and slowing of floodwaters, thereby re-charging groundwater. • Providing livelihoods (e.g. crafts & food production), thereby creating sustainability

49. Hartbeespoort Dam Wetlands

50. Sediment Removal and Management Objectives: Reduction of internal nutrient load in the dam by means of sediment removal in an environmentally safe manner. • Deliverables • Detailed analyses of sediments completed • Pilot project – Elands Mine (jelly layer) & Oberon • Evaluate potential uses of the nutrient enriched silt material within environmentally & economically sound practices • Challenges • Develop economic viable sediment recovery practices (from the dam) • Source willing local partners to use material • Acquire land for sediment recovery