SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIONS OF WATER QUALITY IN SOUTH AFRICA : a case study of the blesbokspruit river... in the context of acid mine drainage treatment

This book details how the water quality of the Blesbokspruit River in Gauteng, South Africa was socially constructed by stakeholders and key individuals in the context of acid mine drainage (AMD) and its treatment. Social constructionism is used as the framing for this research to explain how water is intrinsically social. Findings presented here show that stakeholders are aware that the changes in the physicality of the Blesbokspruit resulted from human interventions and varied uses of the water over the years. Such knowledge, among factors such as the historical context of mining, current coal mining, flows and volumes of water, technology used and processes followed, information and communication, and vested interests influence social constructions of the water quality. What counts as the truth about water varies depending on the individual’s perspective, their purpose, and their individual interests. Further, how one defines water quality influences what treatment processes arepreferred in order to improve water quality. The book explains why, for example, a treatment process meant to improve water quality gained a bad reputation by the public because of the South African government’s silo approach. The book explains how these social constructions are entrenched in power relations between stakeholders regarding AMD treatment and illustrates how power was used to influence decisions to improve the water quality of the Blesbokspruit. The case presented in this book offers insights and recommendations for policymakers working in water governance, including means to influence social constructions of water quality and ways to clarify roles and responsibilities in pursuit of improved cooperative government. Preface Acknowledgements Contents About the Author Abbreviations Chapter 1: Overview of AMD and Its Treatment in South Africa References Chapter 2: Understanding Social Constructionism of Water Quality 2.1 Introduction 2.2 What Is Social Constructionism? 2.3 Social Constructionism of Nature 2.4 The Hydrosocial Cycle and Social Constructionism of Water and of Water Quality 2.5 Conclusion References Chapter 3: Background on the Eastern Basin and the Blesbokspruit 3.1 Introduction 3.2 The East Rand 3.3 The Eastern Basin 3.4 The Blesbokspruit and Its Wetland 3.5 Non-statutory Bodies Contributing to the Governance of the Blesbokspruit 3.5.1 The Blesbokspruit Forum 3.5.2 The Blesbokspruit Trust 3.6 Research Methodology 3.6.1 Data Collection 3.6.2 Selection of Participants, In-Depth Interviews and Observations 3.7 Conclusion References Chapter 4: Acid Mine Drainage and Its Treatment in the Eastern Basin 4.1 Introduction 4.2 History of Acid Mine Drainage in South Africa and Why It Occurs 4.3 The Nature of AMD and Its Occurrence in the Eastern Basin 4.4 Construction of the Eastern Basin AMD Treatment Plant and STT Process 4.5 EIA Process for the Selection of a Sludge Disposal Site 4.6 Conclusion References Chapter 5: Perceptions of Water Quality in the Context of the Short-Term Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage in the Eastern Basin 5.1 Introduction 5.2 How Key Individuals Understand the Water Quality of the Blesbokspruit 5.3 Views on AMD in the Eastern Basin 5.4 Views on Who Is Responsible for AMD Treatment 5.5 Views on AMD Short-Term Treatment Before Its Implementation 5.6 Views on AMD Short-Term Treatment After Its Implementation 5.6.1 Perceptions of the Underground Disposal in the Mine Void 5.6.2 Perceived Impact of Discharged Water on the Blesbokspruit 5.6.3 Perceptions of the Significance of an EIA Process 5.7 Conclusion References Chapter 6: Factors Influencing Social Constructions of the Water Quality of the Blesbokspruit 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Historical Context of Mining 6.3 Current Coal Mining 6.4 Flows and Volumes of Water in the Blesbokspruit 6.4.1 Sewage Spills 6.4.2 Reed Encroachment 6.4.3 Flooding 6.5 Technology Used and Processes Followed 6.5.1 “Pollution”-Related Activities 6.5.2 Water Quality Sampling 6.5.3 Neutralised Water and Agriculture 6.6 Information and Communication 6.7 Vested Interests 6.8 Conclusion References Chapter 7: How Social Constructions of Water Quality Link to Power Relations Regarding AMD and Its Treatment 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Legislation, Regulation and Governance 7.3 Issues Between and Within Spheres of Government 7.3.1 Roles and Responsibility of Government Departments Within the Blesbokspruit 7.3.2 Issuing of Water Use Licences, Environmental Authorisations and Mining Rights 7.3.3 Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement (CME) 7.3.4 Exemption of an Environmental Impact Assessment for the Use of the Mine Void 7.4 Communication 7.4.1 Miscommunication About the Sludge Disposal Site 7.4.2 Long-Term Treatment: Issues and Conflict 7.5 Conclusion References Chapter 8: AMD Treatment Can Rid Its Bad Reputation 8.1 Perceptions of the Water Quality and the STT of AMD 8.2 Social Constructions of the Water Quality 8.2.1 The Physicality of the Blesbokspruit 8.2.2 Vested Interests 8.2.3 Mining 8.2.4 Technology, Agriculture and Water Quality Sampling 8.2.5 Information and Communication 8.3 Water Quality and Power Relations 8.4 AMD Treatment Can Improve Its Reputation Index This book details how the water quality of the Blesbokspruit River in Gauteng, South Africa was socially constructed by stakeholders and key individuals in the context of acid mine drainage (AMD) and its treatment. Social constructionism is used as the framing for this research to explain how water is intrinsically social. Findings presented here show that stakeholders are aware that the changes in the physicality of the Blesbokspruit resulted from human interventions and varied uses of the water over the years. Such knowledge, among factors such as the historical context of mining, current coal mining, flows and volumes of water, technology used and processes followed, information and communication, and vested interests influence social constructions of the water quality. What counts as the truth about water varies depending on the individual's perspective, their purpose, and their individual interests. Further, how one defines water quality influences what treatment processes are preferred in order to improve water quality. The book explains why, for example, a treatment process meant to improve water quality gained a bad reputation by the public because of the South African government's silo approach. The book explains how these social constructions are entrenched in power relations between stakeholders regarding AMD treatment and illustrates how power was used to influence decisions to improve the water quality of the Blesbokspruit. The case presented in this book offers insights and recommendations for policymakers working in water governance, including means to influence social constructions of water quality and ways to clarify roles and responsibilities in pursuit of improved cooperative government