Quality Management Highlights
The 2022 State of Air Report highlights the implementation of the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act, focusing on ambient air quality levels, key national programs, and provincial interventions. It includes detailed reports on PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 trends, as well as the performance of the National Ambient Monitoring Network. The report also presents annual averages for PM10 and PM2.5 in South Africa, showcasing the current air quality status and initiatives to ensure public access to real-time air quality information.
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Presentation Transcript
2022 State of Air Report, NAQI and Air Quality Management Highlights 17thAir Quality Governance Lekgotla Ranch Resort and Conference Centre, Polokwane Session 1.6, 03 05 September 2023 Dr Patience Gwaze, National Air Quality Officer
State of Air Reporting Objectives State of Air Report objectives are to provide a national overview on the status of the implementation of the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act focusing on: State of ambient air levels of particulate matter and sulphur dioxide Progress on key national programs and legislative developments Provincial highlights, challenges and interventions Appendix A Detailed provincial state of air reports Appendix B Detailed provincial overview and highlights
Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Annual Trends of PM2.5, PM10and SO2 and National/Priority Areas Air Quality Indicators
National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network NAAQMN Provide LIVE information on the State of Air to the public on the website and the SAAQIS APP 132 government stations (107 reporting LIVE to SAAQIS) 70 privately owned stations also reporting LIVE to SAAQIS SAAQIS configured for low- cost sensors 3 sensors report live onto the SAAQIS (trial) owned
2022 National Ambient Monitoring Network Performance Not Meeting Data Requirements Meeting Data Requirements Stations Not Operational Province No of stations Eastern Cape 8 0 8 0 Free State 3 1 0 2 Gauteng 30 2 20 8 KZN 27 7 10 10 Limpopo 5 0 4 1 Mpumalanga 6 1 4 1 North-West 10 0 8 2 SAWS 17 9 8 0 Western Cape 26 5 20 1 National Total 132 25 82 25 (37 in 2021)
National Air Quality Indicator NAQI is based on an annual measure of PM10 and SO2, two of the most prevalent pollutants in the country. In 2022 only 21 stations met the minimum data requirement of 75% as compared to 2021 when 27 stations met minimum data requirement
Air Quality Monitoring Challenges and Interventions Challenges Interventions Underway Insufficient long-term financial commitment towards the management and maintenance of the infrastructure Aging infrastructure requiring recapitalization Limited technical capacity within most government spheres to operate and maintain the monitoring stations in optimally Power interruptions equipment and infrastructure due to load shedding Increase in funding and recapitalisation of stations by some network owners Continuous support by provinces and national Improving partnerships with private sector to increase monitoring coverage and data availability on SAAQIS Support of government stations by the South African Weather Service Introducing alternative monitoring techniques Power back-up solutions to address loadshedding Establishment of the transversal contract with National Treasury to support the NAAQMN and damage to
Overview on Key Air Quality Management Programs
Atmospheric Emissions Licensing Issuance Average efficiency for AELs over the last year has increased to 88% Effective support by province and DFFE to ensure that AELs are issued timeously Current performance has improved to 96%
AQM Regulatory Developments Legislative Tools Repeal of the Environment Conservation Act, 1989 (Act No. 73 Of 1989): Noise Development Progress and Status Draft Noise Notice engagements with to Working Group II members. Further engagements with other authorities to refine the current draft are underway Section 23, Temporary Asphalt Plants All representations considered. Draft to be presented to the stakeholders (specifically the users of the appliances) before recommendation to the Minister National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act (NEMLA) 4, 2022 NEMLA 2022 came into operation on 30 June 2023 after President proclamation in the Gazette, Day 2. Noting: Section 57 the Act have been excluded from the coming into operation. Revocation or suspension of atmospheric emission licences Sec 47A. NEMAQA Authorities' consultations initiated with GP, LP, NW, EC. More to follow until March 2024. Dedicated Day 2, Sessions 4.1 and 4.2. 2017 National Framework Review Priority Area regulations Priority areas regulations due for promulgation shortly National Dust Control Regulations amendments Section 21 Notice on Listed Activities Stakeholder consultations finalised. Approval for publishing the notice for public comments initiated Finalising consultations with affected stakeholders of Categories 3.6 and 6 before presenting to the expert panel for review Amending H2S emission standards, establishing H2S ambient standards, Developing measures for the management of odour and improve Category 10. Control of Offensive Odours
Implementation of Priority Area AQMPs March 2022 high court ruling declared that poor air quality in the Highveld Priority Area is in breach of residents' section 24(a) constitutional right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and wellbeing Priority areas regulations due for promulgation shortly will provide mechanisms to improve accountability and enforcement of priority areas air quality management plans and implementation thereof Development of Highveld PA AQMP with clear objectives towards compliance with NAAQS Review of VTAPA and WBPA to align with regulations initiated Regulations will require improved state capacity for effectively implementation Continued exposure to litigation without effective implementation
Provincial Air Quality Management Overview and Highlights Full Provincial Reports Appendix B
Provincial AQM Highlights Improved issuance of Atmospheric Emissions Licenses (AELs) within legislated timeframes, achieving higher percentages compared to previous years in multiple provinces. Actively engaging communities through awareness campaigns, community improvement projects, and education initiatives, fostering awareness and participation. Embracing events like International Day for Clean Air for Blue Skies and vehicle emission testing campaigns. Implementation of city-specific air pollution control by-laws and exploration of emission reduction strategies like Low Emission Zones. Enforcing air quality by-laws and regulations, along with legal victories, emphasizes provinces' commitment to holding polluters accountable. Training and capacity-building initiatives for Air Quality Officers (AQOs) and councillors highlight dedication to informed air quality management. Participation in various mining and industry forums to enhance air quality management, indicating cross-sector cooperation for cleaner air.
Provincial AQM Challenges Challenges in aging infrastructure, loadshedding, budget, and human resources impact the maintenance and functionality of monitoring stations Limited availability of qualified personnel hampers effective execution of air quality management tasks Ongoing challenges in implementing regulatory systems, such as the SNAEL system, pose administrative challenges Budget limitations hinder engagement with communities, reducing the effectiveness of awareness campaigns and workshops Loadshedding has increased the use of fossil fuels, wood, paraffin as alternative energy sources Management of waste (landfill sites and illegal dumping contributing) to poor air quality, requiring effective waste management strategies Increase in uncontrolled veldfire burning in open grounds and agricultural residue
Interventions Underway to Address Some Challenges Strengthening implementation in: Provincial and municipal organizational structures and resourcing to ensure effective AQM functions Sessions 2.1, 3.1 and 3.2 Authorisation Session 4.1.3 Emission management and compliance monitoring Session 4.1.4 Ambient monitoring and information dissemination Session 4.2.1 Development of a complete national non-industrial emissions inventories to support decision making Day 3 Our resolutions must inform the next MTSF cycle as well as the National Framework
Concluding Remarks Despite the low data recovery from the NAAQMN, particulate matter is still of great concern especially all priority areas and some metros Improved and urgent interventions to reduce air pollution require: Strengthen compliance monitoring and enforcement to ensure that polluters reduce emissions - effective implementation of AEL, PA regulations and by-laws Strengthen provincial and municipal structure, resources to ensure effective implementation of legislation, especially AELs, by-laws and AQMPs Long-term sector targets that reflect the urgency to improve the quality of air in the republic - MTSF 2024-29, Session 2.3 Improve resourcing of AQM functions, cooperative governance and political awareness as air pollution sources span across multiple mandates (waste, forestry, agriculture, energy, electricity, transport, health, human settlements, climate change, mining) Session 2.3
Thank You Dr Patience Gwaze National Air Quality Officer Tel: 012 399 9192 Cell: 079 216 0792 email: pgwaze@dffe.gov.za
Eastern Cape Annual Average Trends: PM10 and SO2
Free State Annual Average Trends: PM10 and SO2
Limpopo PM10And SO2 Annual Average
North West PM10 and SO2Annual Average
Northern Cape PM10 and SO2Annual Average
Appendix B- Provincial Air Quality Management Overview and Highlights
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Highlights KZN achieved 87% Atmospheric Emissions Licenses (AELs) issued within timeframe compared to 53% the previous year (entire province, including municipalities). Completed DCLM Landfill AIR which we believe is a 1st AIR for a Landfill in South African Ethekwini Metro won a court case against SAPPI SAICCOR dating from 2013 on SO2 exceedance in Umkomass, SAPPI pleaded guilty to 38 charges and was fined R8m. The KZN AQMP is at final stages and will be completed in 2023/2024.
Northern Cape Provincial Highlights Province continues to issue all its AEL s with legislative timeframes (100%). Province achieved 100% for NAEIS reporting and well underway to achieving 100% for NAEIS auditing. Province has convened all Provincial/Municipal quarterly Air Quality Forums. Province also participated in the following fora: (1)Kgatelopele Mining Forum (2)Hotazel Mining Forum (3)Assmang Khumani Forum (4)Kolomela Forum (5)Gamsberg Mining Forum
Northern Cape Provincial Highlights In-house review of the Namakwa District AQMP was completed in March and District to integrate plan into IDP. Assistance is also given to Francis Baard DM as well as the ZF Mgcawu district AQMP plans, these plans currently undergoing public participation processes and should be completed in March of 2024. Province conducted two community improvement studies / projects in the Koingnaas (coastal) and Prieska low- income settlements.
Northern Cape Provincial Highlights (2) Province approved several dust management plans for various industries (mostly mining). Issues several dust notices across province. Joint inspections conducted with DFFE compliance and DMRE. Trained all councilor's across the Province in air quality management through the Councilors Induction training in Upington. Province conducted 2 awareness campaigns in the Prieska community on clean fires and chemical awareness and also on clean air for blue skies across several schools. The Hotazel forum (9 mines) is also procuring a continuous station for the Hotazel area & will also be reporting to SAAQIS. Province waiting for LCS tender awarding (3 LCS).
Northern Cape Provincial Challenges Sand/dust storms across the province. Salt operations in the Upington area. Nieuwoudtville background station (no involvement from Province and district). EMI designation for AQO at municipalities. Complaints from communities with respect to residential generators. Glitches with the SNAEL system.
