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W
ater
C
ooperation
, S
ustainability
and
P
overty
E
radication
hazardous substances in the Delta. Biodiversity-friendly guidelines
critical to managing the risk of pollution from storage, spillage and
leakage were also drafted.
Ecosurv delivered very comprehensive draft guidelines in
September 2011. In 2012 the draft guidelines were circulated among
stakeholders for them to review and make suggestions as to how
they could be improved. The initial reaction was that the guidelines
were too long and complicated and, because of this, they would be
difficult to implement. Feedback from various quarters suggested
simplifying the technical sections and clarifying the mandates, roles
and responsibilities of the different bodies involved in implement-
ing the guidelines. Licensing and processes for renewing licenses,
for example, needed to be streamlined. The guidelines also needed
to align with existing environmental management plans. Feedback
gave useful pointers as to overcoming barriers to putting
the guidelines into practice.
The guidelines were redrafted by Aqualogic to
be simpler and more user friendly. Flow charts take
readers step by step through what needs to be done.
Clear diagrams show the correct way to build, for
example, septic tanks or drainage ponds. The guidelines
have now been finalised and are being piloted.
In piloting the guidelines in the Okavango Delta
Ramsar Site, some important lessons have emerged.
One is that managing liquid waste not only needs to
be tackled in the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site, it is also
a problem that needs to be tackled across Botswana
and throughout the entire Okavango River Basin. In
Summary of liquid waste management guidelines for the
Okavango Delta Ramsar Site
Summary of guidelines for managing hazardous
waste in the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site
Assessing risk
• Assess the level of pollution based on the quantity of liquid waste
generated and site classification.
• Confirm the level of risk by obtaining coordinates of the site and
superimposing them on the groundwater vulnerability map.
Selecting technology
• Consult the flow chart for technology selection for medium- to high-
pollution risk to identify suitable technologies for the site under
consideration on the basis of the possible pollution risk.
• Where the risk is considered low, all technologies are considered suitable.
• In the case where a conservancy tank is used, there must be provision for
vacuum tanker services.
• The final decision on technology will depend on affordability to the developer.
Licensing
• All liquid waste management facilities posing a medium- to high-risk to the
environment need to be licensed by a competent authority.
• Two types of licences should be applicable: Licence A for medium risk and
Licence B for high risk.
• In applying for a licence, the applicant should indicate whether they are
applying for Licence A or B.
• Each licence application should be accompanied by an environmental
management plan.
• Each application for a licence should be accompanied by a licence
application report.
Managing sewage water in on-land camping grounds and on houseboats
• Ensure that long-drop holes are dug on organic soil.
• The dimensions of the long-drop must not exceed 30 cm
2
by 1.5 m deep.
• The hole should be filled in with soil when it is 30 cm from full.
• There must be one toilet per eight persons.
• Locate long-drop holes at least 100 m from water sources to avoid
contamination.
• Avoid high concentrations of long-drop holes around campsites.
• All houseboats shall be equipped with at least two liquid waste tanks of
adequate capacity to handle liquid waste for the duration of the trip.
• All liquid waste tanks should be leak and overflow proof.
• Offshore tanks used for transferring liquid waste from houseboats should
apply for Licence A.
• The Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana and Botswana Guides
Association should ensure that their members comply with these protocols.
Managing greywater in on-land camping grounds and on houseboats
• No greywater should be discharged into the receiving water bodies,
including the Delta, without prior treatment.
• Greywater should be retained on board houseboats for disposal into land-
based systems.
• The Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana and Botswana Guides
Association should ensure that their members comply with these protocols.
Transporting hazardous waste
• Vehicles transporting hazardous waste should be certified
roadworthy by the Department of Road Transport and
Safety every six months.
• Drums and truck-box fuel tanks are acceptable methods of
transporting oil and fuel.
• All vehicles carrying fuel should have at least one 20 B:C
rated portable fire extinguisher.
• Drums and fuel tanks should be filled to a recommended
level of 90 per cent.
• The load should be secured in a manner, which ensures
that it does not escape from the vehicle or shift or sway in a
manner that may affect the operation of the vehicle.
Storing hazardous liquid waste
• Fuel storage tanks, whether above ground or underground,
should be located down slope from water sources.
• Above-ground tanks should be located over an impermeable
liner made of concrete or other synthetic material.
• All underground tanks should be coated with fibreglass to
prevent corrosion, or use fibreglass tanks instead.
• Above-ground tanks should be made of high quality steel.
• Fuel tanks should have spill and overfill protection.
• Spill protection typically consists of a catch basin for
collecting spills when the tank is filled.
• Overfill protection is a warning, such as a buzzer or an automatic
shutoff, to prevent an overflow when the tank is filled.
• Store similar products together to reduce any danger from
reactions in case of leakage or spill.
• Store substances in a well-ventilated area.
Handling and disposing of hazardous liquid waste
• All containers storing hazardous substances should be in a
good condition and clearly labelled.
• Containers and tanks should be closed and sealed except
where a hazardous substance is being added or removed
from the container.
• Storage tanks at marine fuel dispensing stations must be located
4.5 m horizontally from the normal annual high-water mark.
• Solid piping must be used between on-shore storage tanks.
• Use a funnel when transferring substances between containers.
• Provide a stable platform for fuelling.
• Follow the directions for storage on the label.
• Used oil should not be mixed with other hazardous substances.
• Never burn, dump or bury hazardous liquid waste.
• Do not flush waste down sinks or toilets.
• Do not pour hazardous liquid waste into ditches, storm
drains or gutters.
• Completely drain all oil filters to ensure that they do not
contain hazardous substances.