With Water Week being celebrated from 20 to 26 March, SRK principal hydrologist Kerry Grimmer reflects on the importance of maintaining a balance between human water needs and the ecological health of our rivers.
Grimmer highlights the significance of considering ecological water requirements (EWRs) in ensuring the sustainability of our water systems – requirements which are fundamental to responsible water management.
“The ‘reserve’, as outlined in South Africa’s National Water Act, is designed to ensure that water is allocated not just for human consumption but also to sustain the health of our aquatic ecosystems,” she explains. “The reserve comprises two components: the basic human needs reserve, which ensures essential water supply for people, and the ecological reserve, which maintains the integrity of river systems.”
Understanding ecology
She emphasises the importance of incorporating EWRs into hydrological models, ensuring that water projects do not compromise the health of rivers.
“When SRK assesses water resources for projects, we take into account the needs of existing downstream users,” she says. “We also recognise that, if we don’t protect the natural flow and quality of our water systems, we risk long-term degradation of the river.”
She highlights that water management demands a fair distribution of water between human consumption (domestic water supply), agricultural irrigation, mining and industry, and environmental conservation. If too much water is extracted, the consequences could include loss of biodiversity and habitat destruction.
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