Calls for Research Proposals and Veterinary and Africa

							             WERF Workshop on Trace Organics: Mapping a Collaborative Research Roadmap
                                 May 17-18, 2007; San Francisco, CA



              Water Research Commission (WRC), South Africa

Contact Information

Annatjie Moolman
Water Research Commission (WRC)
Private Bag X03
GEZINA
0031
South Africa
+27-12-330-0340
Email: annatjiem@wrc.org.za


Organization Overview

The Water Research Commission (WRC) aims to contribute effectively to the best possible
quality of life for the people of South Africa by promoting water research and the application of
research findings. This is accomplished by promoting coordination, communication and
cooperation in the field of water research; establishing water research needs and priorities;
funding research on a priority basis; and promoting the effective transfer of information and
technology. Since its formation in 1971, WRC has been successful in promoting a significant
expansion and upgrading of expertise in the South African water industry. WRC’s vision is to be
a globally-recognized leader in providing innovative solutions for sustainable water management
to meet the changing needs of society and of the environment.

The WRC was established by the Water Research Act (Act No 34 of 1971) after a period of
serious water shortage. It was deemed to be of national importance to generate new knowledge
and to promote the country’s water research purposefully, owing to the view held that water
would be one of South Africa’s most limiting factors in the 21st century. In the future (short- to
long-term), South Africa’s water problems may intensify. Issues such as water for all, quality of
life, and a sustainable environment are an essential part of the country’s national priorities and
require considerable attention. In addition, implementation of the National Water Act of 1998
and the related national water strategy places considerable demand on water management and
calls for research support. The role of South Africa in SADC and NEPAD (New Partnership for
Africa’s Development), especially with regard to water resource and water supply and sanitation
issues, poses new challenges and requires new initiatives, which are within the mandate of the
WRC. The WRC aligns itself with national priorities while helping to position the country in the
African continent through the WRC’s involvement in NEPAD.




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             WERF Workshop on Trace Organics: Mapping a Collaborative Research Roadmap
                                 May 17-18, 2007; San Francisco, CA



In summary, the strategic direction of the WRC is focused on:

       An integrated approach to meeting South Africa's societal and water-sector R&D needs
       Provision of integrated solutions to invariably complex, inter-disciplinary problems
       Ongoing strategic identification of needs (short, medium and long-term needs, both
       explicit and implicit)
       Investment in knowledge creation, transfer and dissemination in a set of 5 Key Strategic
       Areas (KSAs)
           o Water Resource Management
           o Water-Linked Ecosystems
           o Water Use and Waste Management
           o Water Utilization in Agriculture
           o Water-Centered Knowledge
   In addition, four Crosscutting Domains provide for an integrated view of research
   investments within and across the KSAs

WRC’s efforts are funded by the Water Research Fund (established by The Water Research Act),
which derives its income mainly from taxes on water made available for various uses.
Diversification of income sources is gaining momentum, with the main other source being
income derived from research fund management on behalf of specific sponsors and donors.

WRC’s investment in research and development (R&D) is mainly through research projects and
programs in the solicited and non-solicited categories. Research proposals are invited on an
annual basis in these two categories only, in accordance with the WRC’s annual funding cycle.
The annual ratio of solicited to non-solicited research funds may differ between KSAs and also
within each KSA according to the changing strategic needs of the KSA and the WRC’s overall
objectives. Consultancy research agreements are usually initiated from within the WRC. There is
no formal call for proposals in this category. Total research funding available for 2006/07
amounted to approximately $112 million.


Completed Projects on Trace Organic Compounds

WRC Endocrine Disruptor Chemical (EDCs) Research Programme for South African Water
Systems
A surveillance study has also been done (2001-2003) to determine the capability of the
laboratories identified to participate in the programme. In the pilot study (2002-2005) EDC
activity was detected at all chosen sites and chemical analysis confirmed the presence of EDCs.
In related studies EDC effects have been noticed in animals (fish, birds and Eland). The need for
an extended research programme at the WRC on EDCs was confirmed and recommendations
were made for the future phases of the EDC research programme:

       The proposed list of chemicals should be updated at least annually in order to keep up to
       date with world trends.


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             WERF Workshop on Trace Organics: Mapping a Collaborative Research Roadmap
                                 May 17-18, 2007; San Francisco, CA



       The list containing the capacity and capability of laboratories conducting chemical
       analyses and bio-assays should be updated annually.
       Ongoing research is needed in the development of bio-assays as well as chemical analysis
       at ultra trace level.
       Quality assurance in analytical facilities needs to be addressed, especially at Universities
       and Universities of Technology (the previous Technikons).
       Human resource capacity has to be built in all participating laboratories in order to handle
       a large number of samples.
       A facility for the analysis of Dioxins and Furans needs to be established as a matter of
       urgency.
       Water suppliers and government laboratories should become involved in the study.
       A new approach to capacity building is needed. Post-graduate students need jobs at
       reasonable salaries to keep them in this new field of research.
       In order to assist the decision makers a risk assessment for EDC exposure should be
       developed, as the classic risk assessment model is inappropriate.
       It was recommended that the research programme should be extended to address other
       needs such as:
           o The effects of EDCs on the nervous system, thyroid function and immune system
                with
           o emphasis on means to measure these effects;
           o Effects of veterinary substances in water systems;
           o Extrapolation/links from the environment to humans needs to be investigated;
           o A human health risk assessment model needs to be developed;
           o The fate of the EDCs in water treatment water treatment;
           o Options for water suppliers and waste water treatment plants to remove/minimize
                the
           o EDCs;
           o Monitoring and management systems for water quality need to be put in place;
                and
           o The effect of EDCs in the environment with emphasis on life stock animals and
                wild
           o life needs to be established.


Ongoing Projects on Trace Organic Compounds

Based on the results of the surveys, an in-depth study was then undertaken at a Nature Reserve.
It was aimed at determining whether sufficiently high levels of EDCs exist in the general
environment to exert adverse health effects on aquatic and/or animals and humans in the reserve.
Water and sediment samples were collected from the dams, channel and wetland every two
months over a period of two years and analytical chemistry and bio-assays for estrogenic activity
performed. Roots from aquatic plants in the area were also examined. Sharptooth catfish, African
clawed frogs, freshwater snails, eland and striped mice were evaluated as possible biomarker
species for EDC exposure. At all the sampling sites several chemical compounds (including


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              WERF Workshop on Trace Organics: Mapping a Collaborative Research Roadmap
                                  May 17-18, 2007; San Francisco, CA



DDT) were present at levels of concern for human consumption. The study concluded that
wildlife in the area is already affected and is ongoing.

In addition several other projects are currently funded by the WRC:

   1.   Occurrence and fate of EDCs in drinking water (2004-2006, R840 000)
   2.   New detection methods for EDCs (2004-2007, R640 000)
   3.   Risk assessment - Scoping study on human health risk consultancy (R200 000)
   4.   EDC activity of identified veterinary compounds in surface and ground water-mainly
        around cattle feedlots (2006-2008, R1 900 000)
   5.   Assessment of environmental exposure and health risk assessment in area where DDT
        spraying occurs (2006-2009,R1 985 000)
   6.   Amphibian metamorphosis as biological model to study the effect of EDCs on thyroid
        function (2006-2008,R400 000)
   7.   Seasonal study on EDCs in effluent from the Kuilsriver Sewage treatment plant (2005-
        2006, R200 000)
   8.   GWRC EDC Toolbox project.


Future Direction of Research on Trace Organic Compounds

Strategy development and management of the WRC EDC Programme, projects and gaps:

   1. Development of a human health risk assessment model to determine the risk to humans
      exposed to EDC in water (2007-2009, R 650 000)
   2. Investigation to effects of water quality on the immune system of humans (2007-2010,
      R1 500 000)
   3. Environmental assessment where DDT spraying occurs (2007-2009, R1 099 415)
   4. Development of an environmental/aquatic risk assessment model (2007-2009, R650 000)
   5. Scoping study for EDCs in Agriculture (2007-2008, R250 000)

Implementation of strategic plan for the EDC and toxicants research programme will follow.




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