The book is also available in electronic format on a DVD, which includes a short film.
Pretoria’s Fountains – Arteries of Life elaborates on the development of Pretoria, as dictated by its water supply, provides information on historical abstraction volumes and water quality, and emphasises the need for the preservation of the city’s natural groundwater sources.
According to project leader, Matthys Dippenaar of UP’s Department of Geology, the city of Pretoria was founded in the immediate vicinity of an unusually strong and consistent artesian water source, which exclusively supplied Pretoria with water from 1855 until 1935. The quality of the city’s spring water is still exceptionally good and treatment is not required. ‘Groundwater is more protected against contamination, evaporation losses and droughts than surface water, making it a viable yet underappreciated natural resource,’ he explained
Speakers at the launch included Prof Louis van Rooy of the Department of Geology at UP, Mr Dhesigen Naidoo, CEO of the Water Research Commission and Prof Cheryl de la Rey, Vice-chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria, who all stressed the importance of water-related research and public awareness, as well as the need for close collaboration between all the partners in the chain, namely universities, government, governing bodies and the public.
Mr Dippenaar stated: “Our aim with the project was to create awareness around the importance of groundwater and appreciation for our groundwater sources. We are thankful to the City of Tshwane who provided us with all the available historical data and maps required for the project. We hope to continue our work and do a series of projects on the main urban nodes, such as Cape Town and Johannesburg, in the future.”
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