The Philosophy and Practice of Integrated Catchment Management: Implications for Water Resource Management in South Africa

Abstract

I I I I I i I 1 I I I I i I 1 I I I I 1 I Foreword Unstable water can be corrosive, aggressive and scale-forming. These characteristics in turn can result in the following undesirable consequences: deterioration in water quality (e.g. dissolution of metals such as lead, cadmium, copper, zinc and iron); turbidity; tastes and odours; loss in conduit-carrying capacity; drop in pressure; water loss from perforations in conduits; pump replacement; increased maintenance costs; and in extreme cases — conduit and structural failure with associated high replacement cost. Problems experienced with water softening and stabilization in the water industry were highlighted in the late seventies during research and development studies on water reclamation. Difficulties experienced at the Windhoek Water Reclamation Plant (South West Africa/Namibia) and at the experimental Stander Water Reclamation Plant (Pretoria), led the Water Research Commission to initiate research in this field.

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