How green is our valley?
Contrary to the impression given by the shocking Green Drop Report (7%) for all Makana waste water treatment plants earlier this year, the treatment plant in Belmont Valley is a well-run facility and, according to Mr Dave Render of the Rhodes University Institute for Environmental Biotechnology (EBRU), one that we can be proud of.
How green is our valley?
Contrary to the impression given by the shocking Green Drop Report (7%) for all Makana waste water treatment plants earlier this year, the treatment plant in Belmont Valley is a well-run facility and, according to Mr Dave Render of the Rhodes University Institute for Environmental Biotechnology (EBRU), one that we can be proud of.
The shortcomings reflected in Makana’s Green Drop score reflect the lack of submission of reports, but the facility itself is well managed. This was learned on a recent outing to this facility, organized by the local branch of WESSA. The facility is designed for 5 megalitres a day. It is currently operating at 7 megalitres, but is still performing at this level.
The facility could also become greener in the future. The Municipality has applied for overseas funding to support a pilot project to run a municipal truck on biogas produced by the digesters; should this project succeed, the usage of methane to power municipal vehicles could save the municipality R2 million a year.
There are also ongoing discussions to expand the facility using the Integrated Algal Ponding System, designed by EBRU, which is a low-cost yet highly effective wastewater treatment process. The algal byproduct would create income-generating opportunities, for example, production of value-added goods and services.
Dam levels — don't deceive yourself!
The rains of October were very welcome — that is, if you do not live in a shack area prone to flooding. It has ensured a modest flow of water into the Grahamstown dams, and has filled private rain water harvesting containers. However, according to the Makana website (www.makana.gov.za) as of 28 October, Jameson Dam was 0% full; Milner Dam 16%; Howison’s Poort 11%, Settlers Dam 0%.
So there is absolutely no room for comfort. While the publicity campaign to urge us to save water is welcome, there is still no effective law enforcement. We can only underline the Water Saving Campaign message: use, and re-use, water as carefully as possible. Do not use municipal water to hose your garden or your car. Report water wastage and leaks to the Municipality on 046 603 6136/6063.
Eco-Club goes wild and Wiki
The eco-club of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) School has had some exciting learning experiences this year. They visited the Thomas Baines Nature Reserve on two outings in the company of the reserve’s game guides. They then wrote a report about their experience, sharing their knowledge, combined with research in books on indigenous plants and animals, and what they learnt from the game guides.
The club’s co-ordinator, Lynn Phillips, has submitted their report to Wikipedia on their behalf. The site is short on information about the reserve, and it is now up there as a ‘stub’ (a short article that provides rudimentary info) here. Expand it, challenge it but don’t change it — it’s their work (in their own words)! They’ve never done anything like this before, and hope that their report will attract a few more people to the Reserve.
The outing was supported by the local branch of WESSA and by DSG who provided the bus and driver.
Upcoming events
Tuesday 9 November, 5pm: continuation of the Galela Amanzi Seminar Series, Environment Learning Research Centre, Rhodes University. Nikki Köhly will be giving a talk on ‘Limiting pollution in the Kowie Catchment’ and Prof Kate Rowntree will talk on ‘We all live in a catchment’. Enquiries: Yeukai Mukorombindo g05m1757@campus.ru.ac.za or 084 598 8078.
Saturday 13 November, 5.30pm: Albany Horticultural & Lilium Society will be holding their AGM at the Botany Lecture Theatre. The guest speaker is Prof Martin Hill of the Department of Zoology & Entomology. He will deliver a presentation entitled ‘Biological Control of Invasive Alien Plants: Can we restore the balance of nature?’ Prof Hill will cover the theory and history in South Africa of biological control, highlighting examples from the Grahamstown district, and will then concentrate on some new invaders and what people can do about them. The presentation will be followed by the usual end of year society function, with drinks and snacks being provided. Bring a plant gift from your garden for a lucky dip. Enquiries: Sharon Richner 072 244 3863.
15–19 November: Land Degradation Short Course, organized by the Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University. Lehman Lindeque, a well-known erosion and land degradation specialist, will be attending and presenting at the workshop. For more info, contact Zelda Odendaal at z.odendaal@ru.ac.za or 046 603 7002.
Contacts for Makana Enviro-News:
Nikki Köhly: n.kohly@ru.ac.za, 046 603 7205 / Lawrence Sisitka: heilaw@imaginet.co.za, 046 622 8595 / Jenny Gon: j-gon@intekom.co.za, 046 622 5822 / Dan Wylie d.wylie@ru.ac.za, 046 603 8409 / Nick James: nickjames@intekom.co.za, 046 622 5757 / Strato Copteros strato@iafrica.com, 082 785 6403
