This minor-dissertation established the long-term (July 2002 to June 2006) as well as present day (July 2005 to June 2006) water quality conditions of the Hex River and its tributaries the Dorp-, Paardekraal- , Klipgat- and Klipfontein Spruit, upstream of the Bospoort Dam. The Hex River is situated in the North-West Province, in close proximity of the town Rustenburg. The Hex River falls within the associated Hex River catchment. Various anthropogenic activities impact negatively on the water quality of the Hex River. These impacts include agriculture, livestock production, industrial effluent, mining activities, and processing as well as residential impacts including treated and untreated sewage from the town of Rustenburg as well as informal settlements in the Hex River catchment. The various land uses for the Hex River include domestic use by informal settlements in the area, including mining concessions, livestock watering as well as irrigation and the aquatic environment of the Hex River catchment and the receiving water body the Bospoort Dam. The Hex River, therefore, not only has a effect on the environment but also on the social and economic aspects in the region. Owing to the severity of these impacts it was deemed necessary to determine the long-term water quality trends of the Hex River as well as the prevailing water quality conditions. The primary tributaries of the Hex River were included in the study to determine the source of possible pollution influx. In order to achieve the aim of the study a literature review was conducted on chemical, physical and biological water quality as well as legislative requirements controlling water quality management. A proper understanding of the various impacts as well as land uses in the area is essential in demarcating possible pollution sources. The assessment of the long-term water quality data was conducted to determine the historical water quality trends of the Hex River and associated tributaries and the deterioration in water quality over a four year period. The most recent water quality data were compared against the Target Water Quality Guideline Ranges (DWAF, 1996) for domestic use, irrigation, livestock watering as well as aquatic ecosystems. The long-term water quality trends showed a significant mine water, industrial effluent and sewage impact on the Hex River after the confluence with the tributaries. The assessment of the current water quality situation indicated non-compliance towards the Target Water Quality Guideline Ranges (TWQGR) as stipulated by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF, 1996a-d), rendering the water unfit for domestic use, irrigation and livestock watering. The sources feeding the tributaries iii contain water of inferior quality with a direct associated environmental risk. However, at present the risk potential is contained in the system but with a specific environmental event, such as high rainfall over a short period of time, could be released with a significant environmental impact and decrease in aquatic biodiversity. / Dr. J.M. Meeuwis