WASTE STABILIZATION PONDS AND THE HEALTH-RELATED RISKS: THE NEED FOR MONITORING PROGRAMMES

In the Free State Province of South Africa, a significant proportion (i.e. a total of 60) of the municipal wastewater systems are pond based, with some 47 systems utilising waste-stabilization ponds alone, and an additional 13 systems utilising ponds with additional unit processes (e.g. trickling filters, activated sludge systems etc.). These waste-stabilization pond systems, referred to as oxidation ponds, have for many years provided an effective and low unit cost means of handling domestic wastewater from the smaller communities of the Free State. The waste-stabilization ponds of the Free State have generally performed well for many years, effectively preventing environmental pollution and associated health impacts. Nevertheless, recent concerns have arisen as to the current operational state of waste-stabilization ponds of the Free State and their impact on both the natural environment and human health. Water quality monitoring of these systems is generally not a priority as these systems are easy to maintain and does not pose a health risk to communities, as they are generally not suppose to discharge into the environment. However, this study opened new doors for further investigation into these matters and the need arises for sufficient environmental monitoring programmes