HES4810
ASSIGNMENT 3 2025
UNIQUE NO. 831851
DUE DATE: 5 SEPTEMBER 2025
, Impact Mitigation and Management
Question 1: Water Quality
1.1 Legislation governing water quality in South Africa
The main legislation is the National Water Act 36 of 1998 (NWA), particularly:
Section 19: Imposes a duty of care to prevent and remedy effects of pollution.
Section 20: Regulates the control of emergency incidents (spills, pollution
events).
Section 21: Sets out water uses requiring authorisation, including discharges
that may affect water quality.
The National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA) also
applies through its duty of care principle (Section 28).
1.2 Ten development activities causing water pollution
1. Industrial effluent discharges (e.g., chemicals, heavy metals).
2. Acid mine drainage from mining activities.
3. Agricultural runoff containing pesticides and fertilisers.
4. Sewage leaks and untreated wastewater disposal.
5. Landfill leachate contaminating groundwater.
6. Oil and fuel spills during construction and transport.
7. Stormwater runoff carrying sediments and pollutants.
8. Poorly managed abattoirs and dairy effluent discharge.
9. Informal settlements discharging waste directly into rivers.
10. Deforestation and soil erosion increasing sediment loads.
ASSIGNMENT 3 2025
UNIQUE NO. 831851
DUE DATE: 5 SEPTEMBER 2025
, Impact Mitigation and Management
Question 1: Water Quality
1.1 Legislation governing water quality in South Africa
The main legislation is the National Water Act 36 of 1998 (NWA), particularly:
Section 19: Imposes a duty of care to prevent and remedy effects of pollution.
Section 20: Regulates the control of emergency incidents (spills, pollution
events).
Section 21: Sets out water uses requiring authorisation, including discharges
that may affect water quality.
The National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA) also
applies through its duty of care principle (Section 28).
1.2 Ten development activities causing water pollution
1. Industrial effluent discharges (e.g., chemicals, heavy metals).
2. Acid mine drainage from mining activities.
3. Agricultural runoff containing pesticides and fertilisers.
4. Sewage leaks and untreated wastewater disposal.
5. Landfill leachate contaminating groundwater.
6. Oil and fuel spills during construction and transport.
7. Stormwater runoff carrying sediments and pollutants.
8. Poorly managed abattoirs and dairy effluent discharge.
9. Informal settlements discharging waste directly into rivers.
10. Deforestation and soil erosion increasing sediment loads.
