Winter rains are starting later in the year – study

The rainy season in South Africa’s winter rainfall region is starting later in the year than it used to, according to a study conducted at the University of Cape Town (UCT).

But Waarith Abrahams, a master’s student at UCT’s Climate Systems Analysis Group who did the research, said further studies would need to be done to establish whether the shifting rainfall season could be attributed to climate change.

Engineering News, 29 April 2019

Major 54-hour Rand Water shutdown "postponed until further notice"

A planned 54-hour shutdown by Rand Water that would have been with effect from Monday has been postponed until further notice. 

A Rand Water spokesperson confirmed the postponement to News24 on Monday.

Engineering News, 29 April 2019

Activists slam South Africa's decision to pump water to coal mines

South African environmental groups have challenged the government’s decision to grant permission for a water project that aims to supply developments for its future coal reserves.

Authorising a part of the Mokolo Crocodile (West) Water Augmentation Project, which would pump water to the coal-rich Waterberg region, is unlawful because the development “must be socially, environmentally and economically sustainable,” environmental groups Earthlife Africa and groundWork said in an appeal to the Department of Environmental Affairs.

Engineering News, 30 April 2019

Nkwinti appoints new board at Umgeni Water

Water and Sanitation Minister Gugile Nkwinti has finalised the appointment of the board of directors of Umgeni Water, which came into effect on 1 May.

To ensure a smooth transition as well as continuity from the knowledge and experience attained while serving Umgeni Water, the Minister retained three members, who had served on the previous board.

Engineering News, 3 May 2019

South African-Danish partnership to launch Phase 2 of water project

Phase 2 of the Strategic Water Sector Cooperation partnership between Denmark and South Africa will be launched at this year’s African Utility Week, which will be held from 14 to 16 May at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

The partnership will host an exhibition stand and water knowledge hub in the exhibition hall.

Engineering News, 3 May 2019

Collaboration a solution for the water sector

Government and individuals can contribute to solutions for the water sector by creating awareness on unlicensed dumping at manholes, and through better collaboration among industry bodies, says wastewater treatment utility East Rand Water Care Company MD Tumelo Gopane.

“Inadequate coordination is a key challenge. For example, the wastewater heads across the eight major metros do not have a regular formal collaboration forum. “Imagine the progress we could make through coordinated planning and budgeting through a formal forum.”

Engineering News, 3 May 2019

The above reflects a summary of certain news articles published during the preceding week.

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