There is a growing awareness around the importance of wetlands which is leading the Department of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation (DHSWS) to request specialist hydropedological studies from companies applying for water use licences under certain conditions.
Hydropedology, which is the study of the interaction between soils and water, provides insights into interflow processes in the sub-surface area between surface water and groundwater. According to Christie Terrell, a senior scientist (Water Resources) at SRK Consulting, the field helps to understand the flow drivers contributing to wetlands and watercourses that may be impacted by the activities of the water licence holder.
“By understanding the flow drivers, developers can make better decisions about which mitigation measures need to be in place for a project,” said Terrell. “highlighting which areas need to be protected to preserve the main feeder flows, and which areas can be developed.”
The DHSWS may request hydropedological studies in accordance with their guidelines in terms of Sections 21(c) and 21(i) of the National Water Act, 36 of 1998, according to Roanne Sutcliffe, a Bioresource Engineer at SRK Consulting. These sections refer to the two water uses most commonly linked to wetlands.
“Any development or operation within a 500-metre buffer zone of a wetland will fall within the ambit of these sections, and will trigger the requirement for a hydropedological study,” said Sutcliffe.
Read the full article in Borehole Water Journal
