BMZ ACADEMY
THE BMZ ACADEMY
@061 262 1185/068 053 8213
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213
, BMZ ACADEMY
QUESTION 1 [20]
World Water Week is celebrated worldwide on the third week of August (25-29
August). This year's (i.e., 2024) theme was “Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful
and Sustainable Future. This calls for recognising the regional and global
interconnectivity for communities and nations, requiring collaboration to achieve a
peaceful and sustainable future. With this scenario in mind, answer the following
questions regarding water quality legislation in South Africa.
1.1 Name the legislation governing water quality in South Africa or the country where
you live. (1)
The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) is the primary legislation in South
Africa that governs water resources management. This act seeks to ensure that water
is used in an equitable, sustainable, and efficient manner, while protecting the water
quality for both human use and ecological balance (Department of Water Affairs,
2014).
1.2 Briefly describe 10 activities or actions by development that may cause water
pollution or deterioration of water quality. (10)
Ten Activities/Actions by Development That May Cause Water Pollution or
Deterioration of Water Quality:
Industrial effluent discharge: Factories may discharge chemicals, heavy metals,
and untreated water into rivers. Example: Sasol's Secunda plant discharges effluents
into the Vaal River, raising concerns over heavy metal contamination.
Agricultural runoff: Fertilizers and pesticides used in farming wash into rivers and
streams during rainfall, causing nutrient pollution (eutrophication) and harmful algal
blooms. Example: Overuse of fertilizers in Mpumalanga's farming regions has led to
contamination of the Crocodile River.
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213Page 2 of 14
THE BMZ ACADEMY
@061 262 1185/068 053 8213
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213
, BMZ ACADEMY
QUESTION 1 [20]
World Water Week is celebrated worldwide on the third week of August (25-29
August). This year's (i.e., 2024) theme was “Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful
and Sustainable Future. This calls for recognising the regional and global
interconnectivity for communities and nations, requiring collaboration to achieve a
peaceful and sustainable future. With this scenario in mind, answer the following
questions regarding water quality legislation in South Africa.
1.1 Name the legislation governing water quality in South Africa or the country where
you live. (1)
The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) is the primary legislation in South
Africa that governs water resources management. This act seeks to ensure that water
is used in an equitable, sustainable, and efficient manner, while protecting the water
quality for both human use and ecological balance (Department of Water Affairs,
2014).
1.2 Briefly describe 10 activities or actions by development that may cause water
pollution or deterioration of water quality. (10)
Ten Activities/Actions by Development That May Cause Water Pollution or
Deterioration of Water Quality:
Industrial effluent discharge: Factories may discharge chemicals, heavy metals,
and untreated water into rivers. Example: Sasol's Secunda plant discharges effluents
into the Vaal River, raising concerns over heavy metal contamination.
Agricultural runoff: Fertilizers and pesticides used in farming wash into rivers and
streams during rainfall, causing nutrient pollution (eutrophication) and harmful algal
blooms. Example: Overuse of fertilizers in Mpumalanga's farming regions has led to
contamination of the Crocodile River.
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213Page 2 of 14
