Abstract:
When different water resource components coexist in nature, they usually have an impact on each
other. Studies of how they impact each other in terms of water quantities, flow dynamics, quality and
contamination are therefore necessary to ensure an appropriate water and environmental
management is conducted. A study in Middleburg comprised a literature review and field investigations
at and around a cemetery, as part of a Water Research Commission project on impacts on the water
resource from large-scale burials. A literature review conducted has enabled familiarisation with similar
studies that have been conducted around the subject. Reliable methodologies have therefore been
adopted from the published literature and applied on the current research. A seasonal wetland is
located downgradient of the cemetery, between the cemetery and a stream that flows past the
cemetery. In order to assess possible flow pathways of near-surface and groundwater from the
cemetery to the stream, monthly monitoring of surface and groundwater quality and level fluctuations
was carried out on the stream, as well as existing and newly installed boreholes at the cemetery. Water
samples collected were analysed for inorganic constituents, tritium, and stable water isotopes. The
tritium and stable water isotope results – revealed the comparative influence of rainfall and shallow
groundwater contributions to streamflow, while groundwater provides base-flows as the stream levels
recede. The depth to groundwater reduced with increasing rainfall, indicating direct recharge. The
difference in concentrations of some inorganic parameters in the stream compared to the groundwater
at the cemetery revealed the effect of natural attenuation in the vadose zone due to reduced conditions
and the wetland acting as a filter to improve the water quality of the shallow interflow on reaching the
stream. Since isotope data indicated to be a useful tool in studying water resource interactions, the
methodology should form part of site investigations for cemetery development or on existing
cemeteries to study the current impact and/or predict future impacts that the cemetery may have on
the water resources. The methodology best applies in areas with multiple water resources, where
there may be an interconnection between them. The isotope studies can also be used to estimate
recharge and thus contaminant transport rate of the cemetery leachate.
