Changes in Surface Water continued...

In a similar study on South Africa by Cullis et al (2011), they discussed the problems that a reduction in river runoff as a result of climate change will have on the town on Polokwane in northeast South Africa. Out of the 41 Sub-Saharan African nations, South Africa ranks at having the 5^th lowest water availability, with some parts of the nation already experiencing water scarce conditions (DWAF 2004). South Africa’s highly variable and low levels of precipitation present a huge ‘limitation to the potential for growth and development of the country’ (Cullis et al 2011: 438). Models used to project river runoff in the Olifants River found that in the driest areas of the catchment, annual runoff would decrease by 33% in 2025 and by 47% in 2050. The driest areas in Letaba catchment are expected to experience a 19% decrease in 2025 and a 31% decrease by 2050. These dramatic decrease would cause huge problems for the town of Polokwane, especially considering that water demand is expected to increase by 1.9x the 2001 value by 2025 due to the growing population and growing economy. Cullis et al (2011) then explains how these results from the models were used at a workshop for stakeholders in Polokwane, where it was concluded that greater priority needs to be placed on water conservation and demand management. The stakeholders also realised the urgent need to reduce future demand for water by implementing new technologies and institutional structures to more effectively manage and conserve water supply.