Municipal Health Services & Air Quality Management Overview

Municipal Health Services forms part of the bigger umbrella of Environmental Health Services.
The National Environmental Health Policy published by National Department of Health in Notice 951 of 4 December 2013 defines Environmental Health as follows:
 
Environmental Health encompasses those aspects of human health, including quality of life that is determined by physical, chemical, biological, social and psychosocial factors in the environment. It also refers to the theory and practice of assessing, correcting, controlling and preventing those factors in the environment that can potentially affect adversely the health of present and future generations.
 
The constitution of South Africa determined Municipal Health Services to be a local government function and the National Health Act, 2003 (Act 61 of 2003) requires every District and Metropolitan municipality to ensure that appropriate Municipal Health Services are effectively and equitably provided in its area of responsibility.
 
The National Health Act, 2003 (Act 61 of 2003) further more determines Municipal Health Services to include the following:
  • Water Quality Monitoring
  • Food Control
  • Waste Management
  • Health Surveillance of Premises
  • Surveillance and Prevention of Communicable Diseases, excluding immunisation
  • Vector Control
  • Environmental Pollution Control
  • Disposal of Human Remains
  • Chemical Safety
BUT excl. Port Health, Malaria Control and control of Haz. Substances

Air Quality Management

Access to a clean environment (including air) is a fundamental right of every South African according to section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The Bill of Rights enshrined in the Constitution states that South Africans have the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being. To enable and give effect to this right, the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, Act 39 of 2004(NEM:AQA) were promulgated to create mechanisms through which control over air quality in South Africa can be exercised with the National Framework for Air Quality Management  developed to achieve the objectives of NEM:AQA.

NEM:AQA and the National management framework assign a strong mandate for air quality management to municipalities.

CWDM Air Quality Management Plan

To implement the statutory obligations as outlined in NEM:AQA, the CWDM developed a district specific air quality management plan (AQMP) as part of their integrated implementation plans.  The plan is a strategic plan with a vision and mission, supported by short and longer-term goals and objectives for the implementation of the defined management measures. The 2018 CWDM Air Quality Management Plan – access it here.

Air Quality Management Functions

As atmospheric licensing authority, the CWDM manages all aspects of Section 21 Listed Activities Atmospheric Emission Licensing (AEL) plus the compliance monitoring of the respective licensing conditions. Furthermore, the municipality manage all facilities with equipment declared as Section 23 controlled emitters.

Effective air quality management requires effective engagement and collaboration between various spheres of government. The CWDM follows an integrated approach with the five local municipalities and DEA&DP Directorate: Air Quality Management in mutually addressing air quality management within the CWDM.

Atmospheric Emission License

For the undertaking of activities listed in terms of section 21 of the NEM: AQA, an application must be lodged via the South African Atmospheric Emission Licensing Portal (SAAELIP) and with the CWDM.

Controlled Emitter

  • Registration – Application in terms of Government Notice 831 of 1 November 2013, Declaration of a Small Boiler as a Controlled Emitter.
  • Registration – Application in terms of Government Notice 201 of 28 March 2014, Declaration of a Temporary Asphalt Plants as a Controlled Emitter.

Contact us for more information:

Randall J Humphreys
Deputy Director: Municipal Health Services

MHS REGIONAL OFFICES:

BREEDE VALLEY WORCESTER

Cecil J Bostander

Chief Environmental Health Practitioner

LANGEBERG ROBERTSON

Surene L Grootboom

Chief Environmental Health Practitioner

WITZENBERG CERES

Theresa P Davids

Chief Environmental Health Practitioner

DRAKENSTEIN PAARL

Colin R Petersen

Chief Environmental Health Practitioner

STELLENBOSCH

Fabian C van Wyk

Senior Environmental Health Practitioner

AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Marius Engelbrecht

Air Quality Officer

Download all Municipal Health Services and Air Quality documents below:

Municipal Health Services

Download all Municipal Health Services Below

Municipal Health Services

Download all Municipal Health Services Below

GN R363 of 22 May 2013: Regulations relating to the Management of Human Remains
No person shall prepare or store any human remains except on approved funeral undertaker’s premises or mortuary in respect of which a certificate of competence, has been issued by the relevant local government, and is in effect.

GN R961 of 23 November 2012: Regulations relating to hygiene requirements for milking sheds, the transport of milk and related matters
No person shall use a milking shed for the purpose of milking dairy stock in order to produce milk for human consumption, unless the milking shed in which the dairy stock is milked is an approved milking shed and such milking shed is used in accordance with the provisions of these regulations and the conditions of the certificate of acceptability issued in respect of that milking shed.

GN R638 of 22 June 2018: Regulations governing general hygiene requirements for food premises, the transport of food and related matters
This regulation prohibits the handling of food on premises in respect of which a valid certificate of acceptability, has not been issued or is not in force.

The CWDM and certification of food destined for export

The CWDM as the local health authority will assist exporters if and when requested for the health certification of foodstuffs destined for export subject to certain conditions.

Please note that as a health authority the CWDM can only issue health certificates and not export certificates.

CWDM Water and Sanitation Subsidy Project
Access to Safe Drinking Water and Dignified Sanitation is a prerequisite for health and is a Fundamental Human Right. A key function of Municipal Health Services (MHS) is the Prevention of Communicable diseases such as Cholera, Diarrhea, Hepatitis A, and Typhoid which are all associated with poor sanitation.
This project promotes and facilitate the provision of these services to farm workers and rural dwellers by assisting landowners in the provision of these services through the provision of subsidies, thus elevating the general health and wellbeing of these communities

CWDM Water and Sanitation Subsidy Project
Access to Safe Drinking Water and Dignified Sanitation is a prerequisite for health and is a Fundamental Human Right. A key function of Municipal Health Services (MHS) is the Prevention of Communicable diseases such as Cholera, Diarrhoea, Hepatitis A, and Typhoid which are all associated with poor sanitation.
This project promotes and facilitate the provision of these services to farm workers and rural dwellers by assisting landowners in the provision of these services through the provision of subsidies, thus elevating the general health and wellbeing of these communities

Poster demonstrating 5 key elements to ensure safer food

Download all Air Quality Management documents below:

Download all Air Quality Management documents Below

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