Event Debrief: "Water: yesterday, today, tomorrow" (Northern Branch)
Event Debrief: "Water: yesterday, today, tomorrow" (Northern Branch)
31 May 2023
"Water, yesterday, today, tomorrow"
The Northern Branch in association with WISA Young Water Professionals and the North-West University Geoscience Society held a hybrid event focussing on the different facets of water looking at the past, present and future directions.
Hosts: Professor Ingrid Dennis GWD Northern Branch Chair and Thapelo Mongala GWP Young Professionals Portfolio Representative
Presenters: Mr Marco Morelli - Hydrologist: Milnex CC Environmental Consultants, Mr Thabiso Katiba - Director and Consultant Geohydrologist: AGES Alpha, Prof Carlos Bezuidenhout - Research Director: Unit for Environmental Science and Management
ABOUT THE EVENT
Opening and Welcome : Prof Ingrid Dennis opened the event and welcomed all in attendance and introduced the first speaker, Prof Bezuidenhout.
Presentations:
Prof Carlos Bezuidenhout - Research Director: Unit for Environmental Science and Management : "Water: Yesterday, today and tomorrow"
Prof Bezuidenhout gave an account of the significance and symbolism of water from a historical and religious perspective. He then went on to discuss the current state of water with a connection to the sustainable development goals and agenda 2030. Wastewater treatment and microorganisms were also a key feature where he highlighted the current research and technology in the field. He closed his presentation looking at where the sector is moving and the interventions needed to address the current challenges. Policy reform and investments in new technologies were some of the suggestions offered.
Mr Marco Morelli - Hydrologist: Milnex CC Environmental Consultants
"Water, yesterday, today, tomorrow... A closer look at the legislative history of SA water Law and how it impacted water related authorization."
Mr Morelli gave a comprehensive presentation on how the legislative framework for water use has evolved from the past to its current state as well as the improvements intended for the future. He also addressed the importance of the laws with an emphasis on the various types of uses and authorisations required. Strengthening water resource management, addressing water security and climate change and protection of water quality and ecosystems are some of the areas we should expect to improve moving forward.
Mr Thabiso Katiba: "Groundwater Resource Management: Principles and Practices in NW"
Mr Katiba gave a perspective of groundwater in the North-West province. In this, he described how groundwater was poorly utilised and maintained. He also provided the reasons for bad practises through observations from the projects he has worked on. A lack of capacity in the public sector and community engagement were some key observations he made. He also provided a case study wherein municipalities were not maintaining their groundwater infrastructure and highlighted the consequences of this behaviour not only to the operation of the infrastructure but to the communities that are to benefit from the groundwater.
Vote of thanks and closing: Prof Ingrid gave the speakers gifts courtesy of the GWD and Thapelo thanked everyone who attended. He thanked the GWD for allowing the event to take place and Prof Ingrid Dennis for hosting the event at the NWU Centre for Water Sciences and Management. He also thanked WISA YWP and NUGS for the partnership and support.
