Abstract
M.A.
The goal of this study is to determine the water quality of the Rustenburg Dorpspruit over a six-year period, from 1995 to 2000. The Dorpspruit falls within the sub-catchment of the Elands River within the Hex River catchment and runs through the city of Rustenburg. The Rustenburg Dorpspruit consists of two branches, the main perennial branch and a seasonal branch from the Ananda area. The study focuses on the perennial branch, which originates in the Magalies Mountains and eventually flows into the Hex River some 10 km down stream.
Intense urbanisation has taken place in this area around the Dorpspruit over the past ten years and the study specifically focuses on the seasonal and long term trends of a selective number of water quality parameters. The physical, chemical and microbiological water quality parameters of the Rustenburg Dorpspruit are examined and compared to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry water quality guidelines for Domestic use, Livestock watering and Aquatic ecosystems. The results show that the water quality in the upper part of the Dorpspruit is good, but that further down stream at sampling point D-Spr 7 the quality deteriorates drastically. This is mainly due to the impacts of the Tlhabane and industrial area on the Dorpspruit at this point.