Economic risks due to declining water quality in the Breede River catchment

Abstract

Water is a critical resource necessary to support social and economic development. Economic growth and, in particular, the growth of urban and peri-urban areas, however results in declining water quality which threatens water-dependent industries. In developing countries this is a particular concern due to the rapid rate of urbanisation and the limited financial resources and technical capabilities to adequately maintain and upgrade wastewater treatment works. This is particularly relevant in catchments with a high dependence on export-orientated agriculture. This study considered water quality risks in the Breede River catchment as an area which experiences significant urban and peri-urban growth, focusing on economic risks associated with declining water quality, estimates of the costs needed to rehabilitate existing wastewater treatment works, and alternative strategies such as the use of artificial wetlands, the rehabilitation and protection of natural wetlands, as well as the clearing of invasive alien plants. A major conclusion is that the financial risk associated with a declining economy and social instability outweighs the costs that will be needed for rehabilitation of existing treatment plants. Together with more pronounced fluctuations in precipitation anticipated with climate change, these risks due to declining water quality are likely to increase in future with continued urban and peri-urban growth.

Mutagenicity, genotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by pesticide industry wastewater using bacterial and plant bioassays

“…One of the leading causes of water pollution is the unchecked release of wastewater from various industries into water bodies and many other environments [1,2]. The generation of wastewater is mostly due to rapidly growing industrial sector [3] for the development and expansion of the nation’s economy. Amongst the innumerable industries, the pesticide industry is counted as one of the key contributors of water contamination.…”

Urbanisation, climate change and its impact on water quality and economic risks in a water scarce and rapidly urbanising catchment: case study of the Berg River Catchment

“…It is difficult to link economic findings to specific water quality levels, although if water quality continues to deteriorate to the point where international exports are affected, the economic consequences would be considerable. Similar challenges have been identified in neighbouring catchments such as the Breede River (Cullis et al 2018). The concern, therefore, with the current trends of urbanisation, is that increasing populations will result in an increased impact on the river system, and because of its focus in the upper catchment the impacts will affect the entire river system.…”

“…The water quality in the Berg River Catchment has been monitored since, at least, 1967(De Villiers 2007. Since 2005 there have been a number of studies (Görgens & de Clercq 2005;Clark & Ractliffe 2007;Jackson et al 2007;Paulse et al 2007;Struyf et al 2012) that have considered different aspects of water quality in the Berg River and other rivers in the region (Cullis et al 2018). These studies have utilised data sets dating back as far as 1985.…”

“…It is also likely, that despite our best efforts, the majority of future urban growth will be in informal areas as governments struggle to keep up with the increasing demand for basic services including water supply, sanitation and formal housing. Urbanisation is often directly linked to the degradation of environmental quality, including quality of water, air and noise (Cullis et al 2005(Cullis et al , 2018Liang 2011;Bobylev et al 2016;Zhang 2016).…”

Applying the water-energy-food nexus to farm profitability in the Middle Breede Catchment, South Africa

“…Scientists use quantitative methods in innovative ways to assist food producers to make sense of complex decision-making. 35 Researchers and producers employ quantitative, scientific methods to communicate issues and implications to policymakers with the aim of effecting adoption. 2,36 The main advantage of simulation as a quantitative method is that the outcomes of different variables can be evaluated without actual observation and disruption within the physical system.…”