Development of a methodology for the delineation of air quality management areas in South Africa.
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Date
2010
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Abstract
Since 1992 the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), now the
Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), acknowledged that pollution and waste
management governance was inadequate in dealing with South Africa’s changing social and
industrial context. This triggered an extensive legislative revision, with the new National
Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (No. 39 of 2004) (AQA) being partially
implemented on 11 September 2005 and full implementation expected by 1 April 2010.
The goal of this research was to develop a methodology for the delineation of the boundaries of
air quality management areas in South Africa. The preliminary objective of the research was to
identify the specific criteria that should be considered when developing the methodology. A
review of the methodologies used internationally was undertaken, looking specifically at regions
and countries with similar effects-based air quality legislation. The review concluded that the
international practice regarding boundary determination was data intensive, relying heavily on
the results of ambient air quality monitoring and the results of dispersion modelling based on
comprehensive emissions inventories. Another commonality between the methodologies was
the use of administrative boundaries as the borders of air quality management areas. South
Africa has limited ambient air quality monitoring and there is no national emissions inventory
for criteria pollutants. In the absence of this information an alternative approach was required.
The next objective of the research was to identify or develop a proxy methodology for assessing
the impact of each of these criteria to be used in the boundary determination. The criteria
assessed as part of this research included, population density, emission criteria (industrial,
mining and domestic), topography and administrative boundaries. A further objective of the
research was to combine all the criteria to produce a single indicator or value as to the air
pollution impact potential of the area under consideration. This methodology was then applied
in the South African context. The final objective of the research was to assess the results of the
application of the methodology on the regulatory framework proposed by the AQA, at the
national, provincial and local government levels.
The methodology has proved successful in the identification of areas with high air pollution
impact potential in South Africa. This has allowed for a review of the boundaries proclaimed for
the Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area and the Highveld Priority Area. In both cases
significant revisions of the boundaries are recommended, however due to the controversial
nature of these recommendations, it is proposed that these revisions are deferred until the five-
yearly review phase of the priority area management plan. The results also recommended the
proclamation of two additional national priority areas. The first was the proposed Magaliesberg
Priority Area, which covers the north-western areas of Gauteng and the eastern areas of the
North-West. This area combines the high density residential, commercial and industrial areas of
Gauteng with the high density mining and industrial areas of the North-West. However, it is
recommended that further ambient air quality monitoring and research is required prior to the
proclamation of this national priority area. The second new national priority area proposed is the
Waterberg Priority Area. This proclamation is a proactive declaration based on the proposed
industrial developments earmarked for this area. Due to extensive coal reserves in the area, the
development of additional coal-fired power generation, a coal to liquid facility and other coal
beneficiation projects are currently under consideration.
The research has identified five potential provincial priority areas. The provincial priority areas
are associated with the major metropolitan centres in the country and their adjacent district
municipalities. All of the proposed provincial priority areas, with the exception of the one
proposed in Gauteng, require further ambient air quality monitoring and research prior to their
proclamation. It is recommended that the City of Johannesburg / City of Tshwane provincial
priority area be considered for immediate declaration.
The review of the district and local municipalities identified in Table 24 of the National
Framework highlighted the conservative nature of the initial assessment. The review amended
the classification of 33 of the local municipalities, with 32 being reclassified downwards and
only one being reclassified upwards. This also highlighted the subjective nature of the initial
assessment. It is recommended that the local municipalities identified as having “Poor” or
“Potentially Poor” air quality rating, be prioritised as potential sites in the national ambient air
quality monitoring network and receive assistance in the development of their air quality
management plans. This ensures that the limited financial and human resources assigned to air
quality management in South Africa are deployed in those areas with the greatest need.
Description
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.
Keywords
Air quality management--South Africa., Environmental protection., Theses--Environmental management., Emission density zoning.