Dr Sanet Janse van Vuuren is a senior lecturer at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University since 1995 where she does research on freshwater algae.  The availability of fresh water is regarded as the most limiting factor in the future of South Africa.  Rivers are intensively exploited and water demands in the catchment areas are drastically increasing.  The need for clean water in South Africa makes research on this topic not only important and sought after, but vital.  The presence of high algal concentrations causes concern, especially if they result in a variety of problems.