CAREERS IN WQM

Well if this is what you are looking for, then the field of water quality management is definitely for you!

The water quality management function within the Department of the Water Affairs and Forestry is a very dynamic field, which offers a varied scope and opportunity for individuals from varying technical disciplines and backgrounds.

The domain of water quality management is focused on ensuring the fitness for use of South Africa's surface water, groundwater and estuarine water for all water user sectors which include: agriculture, domestic, industry, recreation as well as aquatic ecosystems. In essence, water quality management to achieve a balance between socio-economic development and environmental protection. Due to the ever increasing demands on water resources to satisfy the needs of industrialisation, urbanisation, agriculture, recreation and nature conservation, water quality management as a function is gaining prominence. This rapid development and growth has put great stresses on the water resources of our country, and if not properly managed, they will soon become unsustainable. Water quality has a major impact on the fitness for use of a specific water resource and the need for effective management of South Africa's water resources is, therefore, of cardinal importance.

Due to its diverse and essential nature to the country as a whole, this sector is therefore always in need of dynamic, vibrant and enthusiastic individuals to serve as ambassadors to ensure the sustainable use, effective management and adequate protection of our water resources. Your role as a water quality manager would be to would to foster a culture of "your environment, your responsibility".

The nature of the work differs primarily between the Head Office and the Regional Office components:

Water Quality Management Head Office:

The activities of this component are primarily a support, guidance and control function.
This component:

• is responsible for the development of policies, strategies and guidelines for water quality management;
  
  
• provides specialist strategic and technical support to the regional components;
  
  
• builds capacity on water quality management;
  
  
• considers water use authorisations;
  
  
• monitors and audits the implementation of water quality management policy;
  
  
• manages water quality management related information, and
  
  
• is involved in research and development.

Due to the nature of the skill requirements, this component is divided into the following specialised fields: urban development, agricultural activities, mining, industrial activities, waste management, catchment water quality management, capacity building, information management systems development and coastal areas waste water management.

Regional Water Quality Management Offices


The activities of these components are primarily focused at the operational level.
They are:

• responsible for the implementation and administration of water quality management policy;
  
  
• responsible for the issuing of authorisations for water uses that may have or may potentially have an impact on water quality;
  
  
• responsible for the management of any and all land use activities that may have an impact on water quality of the water resource;
  
  
• the custodians for water quality data within their defined area;
  
  
• responsible for monitoring of water quality in their specific region on a continuous basis;
  
  
• also responsible for dealing with any pollution incidents or occurrences of fish kills;
  
  
• responsible for water quality institutional development; and
  
  
• responsible for direct interaction with all the water users.
  

• Head Office personnel are primarily office based , with visits to regional offices, and various countrywide meetings
  
  
• Duties of regional personnel lie equally between office based work and field work and involves a fair amount of traveling. A drivers license is therefore a necessity.

The appointment criteria for a water quality manager is at minimum a three year tertiary degree or diploma, in a technical, scientific or engineering discipline (e.g. chemistry, microbiology, ecology, civil engineering, etc.)
Skills in human relations, general management, public consultation, negotiation and communication are also necessary, as well as knowledge of other technical disciplines (e.g. geohydrology); but these are usually developed and acquired through your career as a water quality manager.

Due the increased emphasis now being placed on the sustainable use of our water resources, the effective management of land and water use impacts, and the drive towards integrated management, the opportunities for water quality managers are endless.

The filling of posts are dependent on the availability of vacancies for water quality managers within the Department.



The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry's Water Quality Management training vision is to improve water resource management efficiency and effectiveness by empowering WQM staff members in providing them with the opportunities to develop their own skills and knowledge base on an ongoing basis.

Water quality managers, by the very description of their duties, are expected to be extremely knowledgeable in their respective fields. They also have to be able to deal with any eventuality crossing their paths. Without the luxury of advance notice or time to study and prepare for this, these staff members are expected to cope with this in a professional manner. This requires a vast amount of general knowledge, instinctive logical analysis, self-confidence as well as excellent human skills.

To keep up with the rapidly evolving Water Quality Management approaches it is considered essential that these staff members attend relevant courses, conferences and symposia. This exposes them to the latest trends in environmental thinking as well as providing them with the opportunities to become part of the "Environmental Management Network".

It is possible to divide Water Quality Management staff members into three main groupings. Namely beginners, more experienced officials and highly specialized officials. The boundaries are not exactly defined and are open to interpretation. Each of these groups have different requirements for training. Their choice of career path will obviously influence their training requirements.

In order to further a career path in Water Quality Management, the Water Quality Management Training Committee has compiled a syllabus of known courses that will provide specific skills needed at the different phases of an officials' career. These are divided into courses that are compulsory for all, and courses that are more specialized in nature.

The phases indicated below are flexible and are linked to evaluation and performance. They can roughly be interpreted as follows:

• Phase 1 is the first 2 years after appointment
  
  
• Phase 2 is the 3rd and 4th years after appointment
  
  
• Phase 3 is the 4th and 5th years after appointment
  
  
• Phase 4 is 5 years and more after appointment