River health research

At SUWI we have a heart for our natural environment and are involved with several projects collectively functioning to map river quality in South Africa. Our objective is to make a difference by producing scientifically sound data.

We assess the risks associated with chemical pollution to humans who rely on rivers and dams, as well as the wildlife inhabiting them. Our current lab toolbox enables us to screen water for chemicals potentially affecting the hormone system or causing cancer and other diseases.

The research is performed in collaboration with teams from the University of Pretoria, the University of Limpopo, the University of the Free State, and private sector players.

Main projects

WASA-net MAMDIWAS

One of our current river health initiatives is the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) funded WASA-net MAMDIWAS project in collaboration with IWW, UNISA and the University of Duisburg Essen. Our task is to study the impact of mine water and sewage pollution in the upper reaches of the Crocodile and Vaal River catchments.

Website

SARS-COV-2 tracking in Africa

This ongoing project features the assessment of health risks associated with wastewater plant effluents released into the Orange/Senqu River basin upstream of Gariep Dam. The project was initiated to screen for COVID-19 drugs in the environment and our task is to describe health risks in vertebrates potentially exposed to river water.

Monitoring water quality of the Apies and Crocodile rivers

We have been studying the quality of the Apies River and greater Crocodile River (west) system since 2021 uncovering disturbingly high levels of bioactive substances in surface water, suggesting risks to humans and wildlife.