Water Quality Monitoring
Water quantity and quality are the key drivers of ecological processes that sustain biodiversity of international significance within the Okavango Delta (OD). Several factors necessitated the need for a water quality monitoring programme for the Delta, and these factors include the following: possible development activities in Angola; agricultural and other activities in Namibia, settlements/camps/lodges/fishing/houseboats activities in Botswana. Therefore the principal reason for the water quality monitoring programme is to establish the current water quality of the Okavango Delta and future water quality trends, based on spatial and temporal factors. The BIOKAVANGO Project therefore builds the capacity of the local stakeholders to undertake monitoring of water quality in the OD. Stakeholders that are involved in water quality monitoring are: Department of Water Affairs Mohembo Office (Mohembo); Drotsky's Cabins (Shakawe); North West District Council (Sepopa); Nguma Island Lodge (Nguma Lagoon); Moremi Safaris/Xakanaxa Camp (Xakanaxa Lagoon); Desert & Delta Safaris (Xakanaxa and Maya Lagoons); Orient Express/Khwai River Lodge (Khwai River) downstream of the lodge. The project also supports HOORC to undertake water quality monitoring at Boro Buffalo fence, Lake Ngami, Toteng, Maun Old bridge, Tsanakona.
Engagement of the private sector in the water quality monitoring programme has been lead by the project through its local capacity building initiatives. Champion tour operators identified guides, whom the project trained to do basic on-site monitoring of pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, temperature and turbidity. The champions would then collect water samples that are delivered at HOORC for further laboratory analysis of such parameters as Na, K, Ca, Mg, HCO3, CO3, Cl, SO4, PO4, Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Silica, Aluminium, BOD, Total phosphorus, Total nitrogen, Nitrate, Ammonium, Suspended and Dissolved solids.
The BIOKAVANGO Project uses the results of the water quality monitoring to guide and influence decision making and make impact on the ground ( in relation to policy and development aspects in relation to water quality). For example, over a period of six month the monitoring results indicated an increase in e-coli and faecal bacteria downstream of Shakawe. This was in comparison to the results of the monitoring done upstream in Mohembo.
Through submissions by the Project Steering Committee, the Water Apportionment Board advised the NWDC to erect the VIP toilets at Mohembo ferry crossing point on both sides of the river. Pending the construction of the toilets, the NWDC has made arrangements with the CTO at the crossing point to allow the public to use their toilets there. This will heavily reduce the pollution of the river from human waste and other waste that enters the river at the ferry crossing point. The BIOKAVANGO Project is in the process of liaising with NWDC to erect an information board at Mohembo advising the public about the impact of indicriminate waste disposal on water quality.
Groups:
