water Archives - The Sardine News

When a Water Sample is Not a Water Sample

When a Water Sample is Not a Water Sample: For the past two weeks, here in South Africa, a heated debate has been brewing over water quality sampling protocols in large water bodies. While the technical jargon—centred around “statistical representativity”—might put you to sleep, the public spectacle of elected officials navigating this minefield has been quite the show.

To grasp this issue, we need to tackle “statistical representativity” without inducing a nap. Let’s use Rand Water as our example.

Once upon a time, the South African economy was booming, thanks to the Witwatersrand goldfields. But extracting gold required water, and the Transvaal Highveld, a dry grassland, had little to offer. Enter Rand Water, created to supply water to the goldfields. As people flocked to the mines, towns sprouted, and trees were planted to combat dust, creating the largest man-made forest on the planet. Rand Water became the backbone of civilization in Gauteng.

But what does this have to do with statistical representativity in water quality sampling? Gauteng’s water supply relies on the Vaal River System, which has suffered from pollution over time. Rand Water needed to monitor these large water bodies effectively. Enter satellite surveillance.

The question arose: Can satellites monitor a large water body better than traditional grab sampling (taking a litre of water from anywhere in the lake)? Rand Water launched a research program to find out, using satellites to monitor light reflection off the Vaal Dam while taking grab samples to calibrate the data. Cyanobacteria, which absorb light, were measured to quantify their presence in the water.

The results were impressive. The Vaal Dam, plagued by eutrophication (nutrient enrichment from sewage), often experiences cyanobacteria blooms, affecting drinking water treatment. Rand Water’s monitoring program found that grab samples taken every two weeks were not representative of the entire water body. Satellite imaging, however, provided a more accurate picture.

Now, let’s compare this to Cape Town’s Blue Flag beach status debate, where one grab sample per week is taken to claim water safety. If grab sampling isn’t representative for the Vaal Dam, how can it be for the ocean?

Rand Water’s two-year research program, in collaboration with Cyanolakes, developed an accurate reporting protocol for cyanobacteria and algae. The data is now featured in all Rand Water reports on Vaal system water quality. The study found that cyanobacteria levels correlate with rainfall events, and satellite imaging is useful for detecting trends.

In conclusion, statistically representative sampling is crucial for public trust. Rand Water’s pioneering efforts in this field should be applauded. As for Blue Flag beaches, reliable safety reporting requires scientifically robust protocols. Just because something worked in the past doesn’t mean it’s still effective today.

So, let’s not demonize scientists when politicians misunderstand their message. Instead, let’s celebrate the advancements in science, engineering, and technology that help protect our water systems. And they all lived happily ever after—thanks to evolving science and technology.

Sardines and Sighting Maps

We have started the 2025 Sardine Run Map! And it already has some sardine action logged!

2024 was a thrilling year for sardines. All the action has been logged right here on The Sardine News. The 2024 map has been viewed 200 000 times and just keeps growing.

Which led us to decide to keep the map live. And keep adding unique marine animal sightings and events. That occurs non-stop all year round. This year we started to log more whale and dolphin sightings. And we even had a shipwreck! And a freaking tornado! And recently a capsized KZNSB boat! We have been updating the map with recent catches too…

These events will from now on be included in the Sardine News Sightings Map for 2024. And on the 1 January 2025, we shall start all over again.

Here are the links to existing and past Sardine Sighting Maps. Great for a windy day like today to research. With instructions to install The Sardine News right on your phone or desktop.

2025 Sardine Map

2024 Sardine Map

2023 Sardine Map

2022 Sardine Map

2021 Sardine Map

Channels

Brucifire Surf Retorts – highly entertaining surf reporting

Master Watermen – news from way down deep

The Sardine News – neva miss a single sardine

FishBazaruto – 1000 pounds plus

MYDO Tackle Talk – highly technical sport fishing

Surf Launching Southern Africa – getting out there safely

Water Woes – complain about your municipality here

Websites

umzimkulu.co.za – self-catering right on the Umzimkulu River
umzimkuluadrenalin.co.za – will get you right out and onto the edge
thesardine.co.za – never miss a single sardine
masterwatermen.co.za – news from under water
fishbazaruto.com – dreams
brucifire.co.za – surf retorts

Drink lots of water! It could save your life!

Fishing Tip: Drinking heaps of water WILL save your life

We all know how good it feels to be drinking loads of water each day. It purifies the mind. Lubricates your body. Gives life.

And then here’s a story…

Drink water!

Avid angler from Maputo Jolito, and his girlfriend were working down on the Komati River in Maputo a few years back. Jolito had a sand mining business and was operating machines and trucks down on the banks. It’s a lovely river. Flanked by vast natural plantations of the ever-important mangrove forests. All three colours. Producing the most oxygen of all trees. And containing and bolstering against flood waters, when they come.

Jolito was working away, sitting on the verandah of his little office. It was a raised platform that Jolito could use to watch over his operations. He drank a lot of water out there in the heat. Bottled water. The 1.25 litre size we all drink. And he never threw one empty bottle away, ever. He had quite a pile in his office always.

The weather had been otherwise down at the coast that day, but upriver, inland, in the catchment area, there had been a tropical downpour. A deluge. And all this water was now reaching the bottleneck of the lower Komati estuary system. The bottleneck was reinforced by the staunch roots of the mangroves. Built to withstand any water, fight the floods, and to preserve the banks.

Jolito heard the water first. A distant roar. He had been watching the river rising all day, but nothing could prepare him for what the roar turned out to be. It came around the corner like a broken wave. A huge rapid in reverse. He screamed warning at his TLB operator right out on the sandbank. He shouted to the truck drivers to get out of there, thinking that up on his perch, he and his girlfriend would be safe.

Adrenalin kicks in!

Then amazingly quickly – the maelstrom-like wave of floodwater hit. Jolito thought his platform would hold, but as the flood raged up towards him, the platform started to list. It was not a mangrove tree and had scanty foundations. When it got to 15 degrees, Jolito’s brain kicked and screamed with adrenalin. Something he had seen on a Behr Grihl survival show! He grabbed his girlfriend, and started forcing the empty but closed water bottles into her clothes. And then his. Down their jeans. Into their zipped up jackets until they looked like Michelin man impersonators.

Jolito turned to watch his TLB and operator get swept away by the torrent, neither to be seen again, ever. The trucks just escaped, floodwater swirling at their wheels.

As the platform and it’s dainty little super structure toppled, Jolito and his brave girl jumped. Into the raging river. Where no-one wants to be, ever. Raging flood water. African style!

But the bottles saved them both. Saved their lives. With all credit to Behr Grihls, the lucky couple made the bank five kilometres down towards the sea. And almost where they would have been swept out for good!

And so…

Drink more water.

Never throw plastic bottles away.

They could save your life.