Wednesday, February 3, 2010

SA Water Pollution: What We Need to Know

Acid Mine Drainage Situation in SA - read this BusinessDay report to find out how recent heavy rains in Witwatersrand has added to the water pollution crisis in the region caused by Acid Mine Drainage. It appears that even though officials have been warned about the severity of the problem long ago, it seems government is only now starting to give this matter some attention.

Wastewater Treatment Plants Situation in SA - read this News24 article about the delay of government releasing "a so-called "Green Drop" report on the state of South Africa's wastewater treatment plants". The DA believes the delay is due to the shocking content.

Update: Cape Coast Sea Level Rise Risk Assessment

In this IOL article, we are informed that "In a report submitted on Tuesday to the planning and environment portfolio committee, Darryl Colenbrander of strategy and planning, said the sea level risks can no longer be viewed as something to be addressed in the future but must be considered as a priority" in city planning."

Monday, February 1, 2010

First Municipal Landfill Gas Project in Africa Launched (Durban)

The Times Live article tells how a landfill gas plant which captures harmful methane gas from the Bisasar Road landfill site (Durban) has been recently launched by the eThekwini Municipality. It is said to produce eight megawatts of electricity and is expected to be paid off in 4 years and it goes on to say that "The city hoped to extract electricity from the site for about 15 years after the dumping of waste stopped."

UK Announces Feed In Tariffs for Small Scale Renewable & Low Carbon Electricity

This Renewable Energy Focus article reports: "The feed-in tariff will be available to householders and communities installing low carbon and renewable electricity technology such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and wind turbines up to 5 MW." and, "Owners will be paid for electricity – even if they consume it themselves, and a further payment will be given for any electricity fed into the grid." "Owners can apply for the renewable and low carbon feed-in tariff from the electricity supplier from April 2010."


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