Vredefort Dam

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The Vredefort Dome case study focuses on a number of different factors that affect the environment. Vredefort Dome is situated on both sides of the Vaal River. Water pollution is Vredefort Dome’s biggest threat. The pollution is caused by the mining industries that release chemical waste products, higher up the river at Vanderbijlpark and Vereeniging. The industries are located on/near the river banks. This affects the fragile bio-diversity in the river. Chemical mixtures and other water contaminants cause aquatic animals problems with breathing while on the other hand these chemicals can also be quite toxic for land animals once they drink this polluted water. The stench is a major turn off for visitors and residents that live in and around the area. We claim to have an issue but no one is “aware of it”.

This densely inhabited region impacts negatively on the river’s water quality. The quality of the river is a good sign of how life within the community treats it. It is a pointer of the socio-economic conditions and environmental awareness and attitude of its users. Everything that happens in an area is reflected in the quality of the water that flows through it, because the results of human activity and lifestyle ultimately end up in rivers, through runoff.  The water we drink and use is taken from the Vaal Dam.

We are often told that the water in the Vaal River is of a good quality by international standards. From the Vaal Dam the water is transported via canals and pipelines to a water purification station. Rand water has two water purification stations in Vereeniging. When the water passes through the water purification process all the dirt particles are taken out of the water and all the germs are killed by disinfectant, chlorine. Once clean, the water is pumped into reservoirs and then it flows into our taps. It is there that you receive enough clean water.

But how sure are we that the water from the Vaal River that then flows into the Vaal Dam is 100% clean? When chemical toxins and waste materials are released into our main water source? When we buy seafood, how sure are we that the seafood hasn’t got a disease from the toxins or pieces of plastic particles in it?  Research has shown that with all the chemicals used in purifying water, it will have a negative impact on the human body over time i.e. triggers cancer.