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Annual Report to the GSSA 2012/13
THE GROUND WATER DIVISION
SPECIALIST DIVISION OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA
1. INTRODUCTION The Ground Water Division aims to serve the groundwater community in southern Africa, for the advancement of the science and technology of groundwater and to promote the efficient use of groundwater as well as professionalism throughout the groundwater industry.
2. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The Executive Committee of the Division consist of a Chair, a Vice Chair, a Secretary, a Treasurer and two (2) additional members.
The duties of the Executive Committee are to manage the affairs of the Division in the interest of the Members of the Division and in accordance with its own Constitution and Rules and the Constitution and Bylaws of the Geological Society of South Africa.
2.1. Executive Board Members:
• Dr Shafick Adams (Water Research Commission) -‐ Chairperson
• Mr Fortress Netili (Council for Geoscience) -‐ Treasurer
• Mr Matthys Dippenaar (University of Pretoria) – Co-‐opted Member
• Ms Elanda Botes, Acting Secretariat / GWD Conference Coordinator
2.2. Ex-‐officio:
• Mr Gawie van Dyk (AngloGold Ashanti Limited) -‐ Central Branch Chair, Treasurer: Ms Jennifer Pretorius
• Dr Kornelius Riemann (Umvoto) -‐ Western Cape Branch Chair, Treasurer: Mr John Weaver
• Mr Gert Nel (SRK) –Eastern Cape Branch Chair, Secretary: Ms Charon Swarts
• Mr Duncan Munyai (WSM Leshika Consulting) has been elected as the Chairman of the newly established GWD Limpopo Branch. Secretary: Gladness Mohale
3. MEMBERSHIP The Division strategically focused on student and individual membership. To be able to filter groundwater expertise more proficiently the GWD membership were invited to upgrade their current Associate membership to Professional membership. Professional members will be professionals active in a groundwater specific field and SACNASP registered as either Earth Scientists or Water Scientists. 23 members upgraded from associate to professional members. In total, the GWD membership database grew from 371 members in May 2012 to 570 members in May 2013. Of these members, 326 were invoiced of which 92 settled their membership dues to date.
3.1. Central Branch
The Central Branch of the Ground Water Division incorporates members from the Free State, Northern Cape and North West Provinces.
3.2. Eastern Cape (& KZN) Branch
The Eastern Cape Branch of the Ground Water Division currently incorporates members from the Eastern Cape as well as KwaZulu-‐Natal.
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3.3. Western Cape Branch
3.4. National Branch
The National Branch of the Ground Water Division currently incorporates members from Gauteng, Northern Province and Mpumalanga. The National Branch serves as the hub for all GWD governance issues.
PLEASE NOTE *Limpopo Branch members are not yet separated from the National Branch. This activity is flagged for follow-‐up.
4. ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR
4.1. February 2012: GWD Western Cape Branch
• Presentation by Roger Parsons on experience of drought relief drilling.
• Presentation by Kornelius Riemann on ‘Silver Drop’ system for groundwater management.
4.2. May 2012: GWD Central Branch Awards
Central Branch, together with Dr Johan van der Merwe (GWD Honorary Member), awarded prizes for best posters to selected Honours students
GLG637 2012 (Environmental Geochemistry) at the Institute for Groundwater Studies, UFS.
4.3. June 2012: Groundwater talk by Prof J McKay
Professor Jennifer McKay, Professor of Business Law, and Director: Centre for Comparative Water Policies and Law, School of Commerce talked about groundwater laws and policies in Australia. This event was hosted at the University of Pretoria on 26 June 2012.
4.4. July 2012: Networking Roadshow
The GWD embarked on a Networking Roadshow that visited the following centra in South Africa:
11 July 2012 – University of Pretoria Attendance: 63 delegates
13 July 2012 – Cape Town (Lagoon Beach Hotel) Attendance: 33 delegates
16 July 2012 – University of KwaZulu-‐Natal Attendance: 29 delegates
The aim of the networking days was to offer an awareness platform for groundwater and to drive and build further on the capacity and communication between role-‐players in the sector such as municipalities, consultants, researchers, young GW professionals and students.
The networking days opened with a sponsored GROUNDWATER HYDROLOGY SEMINAR where a visiting international speaker from Japan, Dr Ted Way (Shao-‐Chih (Ted) Way, Ph.D., P.E.) offered insights and also show-‐cased the latest in-‐situ / monitoring technology available.
An afternoon talk by an invited regional speaker opened the floor to participants to discuss and debate issues of current importance in the sector:
• Speaker Gauteng: Dr Shafick Adams: 'Groundwater in South Africa: Perspectives and Challenges'
• Speakers Cape Town: Mr Xiao Liang: 'Latest development of 3D fracture networks research' Dr Chris Hartnady: 'Environmental Impacts and geophysical Risks of Karoo Shale Gas Development'
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• Speaker Durban: Mr Philani Msimango (DWA): Borehole registration challenges and Northern KZN Defunct mines project outline.
These talks were followed by a networking evening.
4.5. October 2012: Groundwater Symposium
Groundwater to Tap water -‐ a municipal focus, Potchefstroom, 15-‐16 October 2012
The GWD and the NWU hosted a symposium in Potchefstroom on 15-‐16 October 2012. The focus was on the use of groundwater by municipalities and aimed to share new knowledge on the topic of groundwater and municipalities, as well as, to allow for multi-‐stakeholder panel discussions mainly between researchers, groundwater practitioners and municipal officials. The main themes of the symposium were the following:
• The groundwater resource
• Monitoring and Management
• Groundwater treatment
• Costing and development.
Groundwater is the key component of the water cycle and focus has been placed in gaining knowledge concerning the resource, and stressing the importance thereof. Around 2000 million m3 of groundwater is currently being used by South Africans per annum. Groundwater is the main
source of water for many rural communities, towns and even forms part of the water supply for cities such as Pretoria and Johannesburg.
Both hydrogeologists and municipal employees were in agreement that such a platform as the symposium is not only essential but also very valuable to support the sustainable development of groundwater resources in the country.
LESSONS LEARNT
Plenty success stories were shared from regions that attended the symposium. The following main lessons were learnt at the end of the 2-‐day symposium:
• Education and awareness on groundwater and groundwater management for local and district municipalities, water engineers and water users are needed.
• Various examples of success stories about groundwater use, monitoring and management at municipalities prove that groundwater is a feasible and reliable option of water supply.
This symposium was the first step (drop) on the road (tap) to a new way of thinking about and managing groundwater sustainably on a local scale.
It is hoped that such symposiums can be continuously presented in years alternating between the biennial conferences of the Ground Water Division.
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4.6. May 2013: Limpopo Branch Launch
Following an initial meeting on 12 April, the GWD Limpopo Branch was officially launched during a Networking event in Polokwane on 16 May 2013.
During this meeting, the following committee was elected by the attendees, with procedural overview by Mr Fortress Netili (GWD National):
• Duncan Munyai (Chairperson)
• Gladness Mohale (Secretary)
• Tiyani Maluleke (Additional Member).
A presentation by Mr Pierre Mouton (WSM Leshika) Main challenges in groundwater industry in Limpopo Province were followed by a talk by Mr Willem du Toit (DWA) on the role and responsibility of DWA groundwater section in Limpopo.
The meeting identified some burning issues as main challenges in the region:
• Having a relook at the appointment of contractors
• Delay of payment
• Grip database
• Water use licenses
• Occupational Health and Safety on site.
The Limpopo Branch will initiate discussions with the DWA on identified challenges as well as arrange a follow-‐up workshop with local municipalities.
4.7. July 2013 – Pretoria’s Fountains Book Launch
The GWD co-‐hosted the launch of the book Pretoria’s Fountains – Arteries of Life at the University of Pretoria during July 2013. The event was attended by approximately 100 individuals, including the Vice-‐chancellor and Principal of UP, Prof Cheryl de la Rey (far left), and the CEO of the WRC, Mr Dhesigen Naidoo (far right). Dr Shafick Adams from the WRC and Mr Matthys Dippenaar from UP also attended the function as research manager and project leader, respectively. Other attendees includes professionals from a wide range of disciplines, interested parties, students and academics from various academic departments.
4.8. Biennial GWD Conference and Exhibition
This biennial conference (17 – 19 September 2013, Souther Sub Elangeni, Kwazulu-‐Natal, SA) aims to bring together students, academics, specialists and decision-‐makers to discuss and showcase groundwater and related activities.
The Conference called for papers around the following themes:
• Groundwater and Water-‐Energy-‐Food security
• Groundwater in a Green Economy
• Groundwater and Infrastructure
• Groundwater and Mining
• Groundwater as a catalyst for Social Development
• Groundwater and the Environment
• Case Studies
• Capacity Development
• Monitoring, Data and Information Management
• Resource Economics
• Groundwater Governance
• Knowledge Gaps and Innovations.
Abstract submissions closed on 18 March 2013 and the Conference Science Committee accepted 89 abstracts for oral presentation and 32 for poster presentation.
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5. SPONSORSHIP, AWARDS & ENDORSEMENTS
5.1. October 2012 – GWD as proud sponsor
Aletia Basson a, Vanrhynsdorp Hoërskool student under the mentorship and guidance of Brian Dyason took part in an Eskom Expo for Young Scientists Competition. She won three categories in a regional leg of the competition at Stellenbosch during 23 – 24 August 2012:
• Regional winner (Gold) for overall best project in the Environmental Management category
• Winner, best junior researcher in Environmental Management
• Winner, best junior project.
Her project entitled: “Effect of Sand mining in the Troe-‐Troe River with focus on groundwater recharge and the environment” moved on to the national competition during October in Gauteng. (normally not for junior learners)
The GWD awarded cash sponsored of R2,000 towards the national leg expenses. Aletia won Gold at the National Eskom Science competition for the best environmental project for grade 8 & 9 learners as well as a category prize.
5.2. Hydrogeological Heritage Overview: Upper and Lower Fountains, Pretoria, City of Tshwane (Water Research Commission project K5/2150).
The GWD found this project of incredible interest: building and improving awareness of groundwater the resource by exploring its historic value and role in the establishment of a major city as Pretoria (development in South Africa) to the role it still play in sustaining the City today. Additionally, the historic scientific data offers an interesting insight into the management of groundwater. The project
will make interesting and important archived data available to the scientific community in the form of trend analyses and conceptual models. It is envisioned that similar Hydrological Overviews for other major cities in the country (e.g. Johannesburg) will be published as part of a Series. The GWD released sponsorship to the value of R 20 000 towards the printing of the Coffee Table book, one of the project deliverables.
The book and DVD as available from the Water Research Commission, SP 44/13.
5.3. Assessing and Managing Groundwater in Different Environments (IAH -‐ Selected Papers on Hydrogeology)
A book of selected peer-‐reviewed papers from the Groundwater Pretoria 2011 Conference is presently being printed and whould be available through the IAH later in 2013.
The book was edited by Jude Cobbing, Shafick Adams, Ingrid Dennis and Kornelius Riemann and includes papers of modern hydrogeology, covering the wider range highly technical methods and approaches, to legal, social, organisational, institutional and government issues. The importance if multi-‐disciplinary considerations are accentuated by the selection of papers.
5.4. WaterSA Special Edition on Groundwater
The WaterSA released a special edition on groundwater. Available at www.wrc.org.za, volume 38 number 3 is titled International Conference on Groundwater Special Edition.
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5.5. GWD Service Award: Maureen Ruane
During the GWD Annual General Meeting on 14 October 2012, the membership voted in favour of awarding Mrs Maureen Ruane, the GWD Secretary from 1996-‐2006, a cash award in recognition for years of meticulous service and dedication to the upkeep of the Ground Water Division.
6. PLANNED ACTIVITIES
6.1. Workshop: Water in Tshwane
The GWD, in association with the Water Institute (University of Pretoria), IAH SA National Branch, City of Tshwane, Adopt Moreletaspruit Initiative and others are hosting a workshop on the water of the City of Tshwane. The event will be hosted at the University of Pretoria and will cover topics including (1) Water Collaboration, (2) Water in Urban Development, (3) Water and Dolomite, (4) Water and the Environment, and (5) Showcasing the Moreletaspruit. More information is available at www.up.ac.za/watertshwane.
7. FINANCIAL SUMMARY Each Branch within the Division has a separate bank account and branches have the responsibility to submit annual financial reports to the National Office. All funds raised by the Division are used in the interest of the Division.
The Tony Reynders’ Trust Fund was established in 1998 to honor the achievements of Mr Tony Reynders (1959-‐1998) and through the trust endeavored to further promote geohydrology to the benefit of South Africa. Sadly, the Tony Reynders’ Trust Fund didn’t work out as envisaged.
The original Trustees confirmed that the dormant account was closed and the balance transferred into a suspense account at Nedbank. Subsequently, the Trustees withdrew the funds, dissolved the Trust and arranged for the funds (R 32 186.89) to be made available to the Ground Water Division for purposes as seen fit (bursaries etc.)
TRAINING AND STUDENTS The GWD has focussed itself on increasing student membership to feed into the new professional membership category. The Student Chapter was developed around the concept of the Early Career Hydrogeologists’ Network (ECHN) of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH). Present steering group members as Jannie Weitz, Nelda Breedt and Shuaib Dustay. The Student Chapter will be launched officially at the GWD conference in Durban, 2013.
Questionnaires aimed at compiling a database of tertiary institutions offering postgraduate training in groundwater-‐related sciences have also been distributed. The institutions tabled below have responded to date and contact and programme information is available from the GWD.
We encourage all other institutions to submit their details to the GWD for inclusion in the database, and we urge all students to become active Student Chapter members.
Institution Contact MSc/PhD
University of the Free State
Dr Francois Fourie [email protected] Dr Danie Vermeulen [email protected]
Geohydrology
University of Witwaters-rand
Prof. Tamiru Abiye [email protected] Prof. Roger Gibson [email protected]
Hydrogeology
University of Pretoria
Mr Matthys Dippenaar [email protected] Mr Yazeed van Wyk [email protected]
Hydrogeology
North West University
Prof Ingrid Dennis [email protected] Dr Rainier Dennis [email protected]
Hydrology and Geohydrology
BRANCH STATUS May 2013
(where available)
National R 235 973.05 (Invest) R 498 445.36 (Current)
Central R 106,692.76 Western Cape
R 160 043.06 (Invest) R 14 498.11 (Current)
Eastern Cape
R 3,996.19 Limpopo R 0 (New Branch)
