Challenges in assessing uranium-related health risks: Two case studies for the aquatic exposure pathway from South Africa – Part II: Case study potchefstroom

Abstract

Following on Part I this paper explores possible health risks associated with mining-related uranium contamination of water using the case study of Potchefstroom, a municipality affected by deep level gold mining in the catchment of the Wonderfonteinspruit. Owing to the dolomitic nature of the water U peaks from upstream gold mining areas are likely to slip through the water treatment plant that relies on the standard potabilization process. The installation of an early warning monitoring system is proposed to stop abstraction if and when U peaks arrive.