Oelofse, S.H.H., CSIR, Pretoria, South Africa
The underlying causes of groundwater pollution from waste disposal on land could be related back to fragmented legislation, ineffective policy, enforcement, education, capacity or even skill of landfill operators. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry has the mandate to protect South Africa's water resources, while the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism is responsible for integrated pollution and waste management, including authorization of waste management facilities. Mining waste, on the other hand, fall within the mandate of the Department of Minerals and Energy. Legislation administered by all three departments contains clauses addressing waste management. This paper critically evaluates successes and or failure of the legislation, policies and minimum requirements to protect the South African vulnerable groundwater resources from the impact of waste management practices.
Energy conversion; Garnets; Groundwater; Groundwater pollution; Groundwater resources; Hydrogeology; Laws and legislation; Management; Minerals; Pollution; Silicate minerals; Sulfate minerals; Underground reservoirs; Waste disposal; Water conservation; Water management; (R ,s ,S) policy; Department of Minerals and Energy (DME); Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF); Environmental affairs; Landfill operators; mining wastes; South Africa (SA); Underlying causes; waste management facilities; waste management practices; Waste management; environmental legislation; environmental protection; groundwater pollution; groundwater resource; mine waste; vulnerability; waste disposal; water resource; Africa; South Africa; Southern Africa; Sub-Saharan Africa