A monitoring jewel for Paarl

With the help of Ecoserv in the establishment of an Air Quality monitoring station, the Western Cape has taken a big step to becoming a “sustainable home for all”

In a provincial first, a continuous ambient air quality monitoring station was launched in mid-April in Paarl, in the Western Cape. Established under the auspices of Ecoserv, the station is just the first of three planned for the province – with another two in the pipeline for Saldanha Bay and the Eden District Municipality.

The monitoring station comprises an air-conditioned, mobile shelter, encompassing cutting-edge technology. This includes continuous analysers for the monitoring of the critical pollutants Oxides of Nitrogen (NO_X), Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂), Ozone (O₃) and Particulate Matter (PM₁₀).

The unit is complimented with a nine-metre high mast with a full range of instruments to monitor meteorological parameters, including wind speed and direction, temperature, and humidity. These analysers will be regularly calibrated and operated according to accredited procedures.

The rationale behind this AQ monitoring station – and the other two planned – is that they will be strategically deployed across the province on a rotational basis over a three-year period. Each station will be located at a selected site for a one-year period, with the initial station being located at the Traffic Department (Cnr Jan van Riebeck and Edison Streets) in Paarl. This will ensure that data from all four seasons is comprehensively covered.

“With the launching of this monitoring station the PGWC (Provincial Government of the Western Cape) clearly indicates its commitment and obligations with respect to the air quality management across the Province,” said Tasneem Essop, MEC for Environment, Planning and Economic Development.

“This forms part of a programme of action to make the Western Cape a ‘sustainable home for all'. This monitoring station, which is the first of three, will allow us to conduct sound air quality monitoring of the critical air pollutants, and with the additional weather data capturing system will ensure top class scientific analysis of information.”

On 11 September 2007, the national Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) published the National Framework for Air Quality Management for the Republic of South Africa .

The framework includes a table to guide municipalities with respect to the quality of ambient air which falls within their areas of jurisdiction. It will also rate the air quality in the West Coast District Municipality, the City of Cape Town, the Winelands District Municipality and the Eden District Municipality.

Essop's Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP) has identified the Cape Winelands District Municipality – and in particular the Drakenstein Municipality – for comprehensive monitoring and the decision to locate the monitor in this area was a joint decision between the local authorities and the PGWC.

The launch will also fulfill the PGWC's obligation in terms of the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act (Act 39 of 2004). Meanwhile, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning has purchased all the necessary equipment to set up three fully equipped continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations.

“We were very impressed with the intentions of the Minister with respect to air quality management planning,” said Ecoserv MD Quentin Hurt.

“She has a firm grasp on the situation and is committed to ensuring that air quality is improved and safeguarded.  We believe that our customers are leaders in air quality management in this country.  The manner of and the sentiments expressed at the opening of the Paarl station proved that, for us, this new province is no exception.”