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UGU & HCM Ward 1Environmental & Health

Green Town Pilot ProjectGreen Town Pilot Project

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Overview of Pilot ProjectHCM Ward 1 sold itself as the Green Town Pilot Project for:

The District’s submission for the 2010 Green Town AwardThe proposed roll out of the WESSA “Community-based Initiative to Improve Water Quality and Availability throughout the UGU District”The scientifically based investigation to establish the new direction for Municipal Management with the main tenets being financial prudence and environmental sustainability.

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AimGive effect to environmentally friendly based decision making and planningImprove water quality and availabilityCreate sustainable job opportunities and small businessesReduce municipal spend and install new levels of financial accumen

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Diverse Socio-Economic SocietyOnly external water source is at Impenjati, all other run off originates in Ward 1Presence of a vibrant group of “Champions” and ConservanciesLarge presence of a variety of skills from Engineering through Environmental to Accounting and MarketingExcellent evaluation that findings could stand the test of aggressive peer scrutiny and outcomes duplication

Research Project motivations:

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Project Focus AreasWaste water: Disposal and harvestingAlien invader plants (AIP’s): EradicationRefuse: Recycling of household and garden wasteBuilding & Planning: Environmentally sensitive decision making and operating proceduresSpecific projects: Adopt a Wetland Project (WESSA).Visible manifestations of Green Town Pilot Project

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Focus Area 1Waste Water

Disposal and Harvesting

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Waste water is disposed of via:

Water-borne sewer linesMini-plantsSeptic tanksFrench drainsConservancy tanks

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Sampling has revealed that:Rivers and ground water are polluted with Ecoli and Faecal Ecoli bacteria (FCB’s). Acceptable limits are 200/100ml and 2000/100ml respectively.Sewerage treatment systems are not delivering optimal resultsBlack (toilet) and grey (other) water is not being separatedGrey water is not being harvestedVery little rain and storm water is being harvested

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Desired OutcomesReduced volume of contaminated waterImproved quality of discharges into ground water and natural water coursesIncreased availability of usable water through harvestingReduced demand for potable water through harvestingReduced municipal burden for treatment of water-borne and conservancy tank waste Improved functioning of septic tank, French drain, and conservancy tank systemsEnforced operational standards and monitoring of discharges from mini-plants, whether public or private

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Proposed ActionRecord volumes of all sources of water into the area, municipal supply and rainfall Sample all ground water discharges into natural water courses on a systematic basisTrace contaminant sources and rectifyEducate residents as to the “do’s” and “don’ts” in the maintenance and operation of their specific disposal systemRequire the separation of black (toilet) and grey (wash) water waste on all new developmentsIncentivise existing building’s owners to separate black and grey waterEducate residents to harvest grey and rain water

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Focus Area 2Alien Invader Plants (AIP’s)

Eradication and Management

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Current ScenarioGround water table is being reduced by thirsty AIP’sAIP’s are destroying bio-diversity and displacing indigenous vegetationInvasion of AIP’s is reducing the quality and quantity of potential agricultural landAIP’s are instrumental in accelerating soil erosionPrime natural assets (fauna and flora) are being negatively impacted by AIP’s

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Desired OutcomesImproved conservation of available ground waterEnhanced bio-diversityEnhanced agricultural activities and ability to cultivate the land recovered by the processIncreased Eco-tourismCreation of sustainable business and employment opportunities

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Proposed ActionEradicate AIP’s and encourage the growth of indigenous vegetationOffer 1 year learnerships under the supervision of established local conservancy groups and train unemployed people residents in the ward 1 in the effective removal of AIP’sOffer 1 year learnerships in labour supervisionIncrease the effectiveness of the intended role of Coast CareIdentify projects for Working for WaterIntegrate efforts with WESSA initiativesInitiate new business development in the removal of vegetative waste where applicable and the establishment of professional composting facilities

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Focus Area 3

Household and Vegetative Waste

Recycling and Management

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Current ScenarioRecycling not enforced.Unsorted refuse collected by service providers and transported to land fill site.Service providers not coping with volumes especially in season.Nightmarish environmental impact and carbon footprintMassive capital and operating cost

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Desired OutcomesRecycling enforced – refuse, re-use, recycleSolid Waste Management more environmentally friendlyReduce bulk of waste to be transported and disposed of in LandfillReduced municipal spendClean townsCreation of sustainable business and employment opportunities

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Proposed ActionEnforce separation of glass, plastic, paper and cansReduce scope of existing refuse collection service providerCreate opportunities in recycling collection and processingCreate opportunities in recycling garden refuse into firewood, wood chips, and compostCreate home-based co-operative opportunities in manufacture of fuel blocks from compressed paper and tree chippingsEmploy litter-pickers under the supervision of Conservancies and Ratepayers AssociationsEducate residents on the importance of recycling all solid waste that they produce

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Focus Area 4Building and Planning

Environmentally sensitive decision making

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Current ScenarioInadequate emphasis placed on environmental impacts of urban developmentInadequate number of building and environmental inspectorsRegulations that do not stimulate environmentally sustainable buildings and efficient energy usage

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Desired OutcomesLegislated separation of black and grey water and rainwater harvesting and usage plansMaximum retention of indigenous floraStrict enforcement of existing town planning schemes Improved enforcement of bylawsEnvironmentally friendly aesthetic controls encouragedCloser collaboration between Planning Directorate and Ward Committee

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Proposed ActionEstablish a Ward-based aesthetic contol forumOffer under-graduate internships to assist planning and building control design and enforcementEducate residents and proposed developers in the sustainability of an environmentally friendly planningRewrite the multi Directorate Regulations and Operating Principles that will enforce the new Management Principles in their entirety

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Focus Area 5“Adopt a Wetland”

WESSA Combined ProjectDevils Pool

Munster

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Current Scenario

Public facility and erstwhile tourist attraction polluted and neglectedEnvironmental health hazard

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Desired OutcomesVisible manifestation of the results of Green Town Pilot ProjectDevil’s Pool returned to its once pristine condition for recreational use and eco-tourismDevil’s Pool included on KZN Southern Birding Route Official GuideOngoing example of the results of responsible environmental practice

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Proposed ActionRehabilitate under supervision of Conservancy and Ratepayer AssociationSample surface run-off and ground water sources on a systematic basisTrace contaminant sources and rectifyEradicate alien invader plantsEncourage growth of endemic indigenous vegetationPlace refuse bins, benches, seats, braai facilities, bird-hideMarket extensively as the “touchy-feely” component of the new Management Principles

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SummaryEnvironmentally responsible ManagementCost savingsEmployment creationSkills enhancementQuantification of Pilot to establish the Baseline for the Roll out to UGU District MunicipalityNational and International Recognition and Support for process and outcomesDetail and Supplementary information contained in Individual Focus Group reports available on request to all Municipalities and I&AP’s

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