Neelam Rahim / neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
12 February 2023 / 00:09 CAT

Image: Water Can

WaterCAN, a water-focused initiative driven by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse or OUTA and Adopt-a-River, a KZN-based non-profit organisation working on key waterways, have joined hands on one of Durban’s critical river systems. The two groups of water activists have committed to undertake a series of bacterial and chemical tests along the Umbilo River, a highly polluted river that requires urgent intervention.

The two groups of water activists have committed to undertake a series of bacterial and chemical tests along the Umbilo River, a highly polluted river that requires urgent intervention.

In an interview with Radio Islam International, OUTA’s WaterCAN KwaZulu-Natal representative Jonathan Erasmus expressed the slowness in dealing with the state of the rivers in Ethekwini as a significant concern.

The E.coli tests were undertaken by Talbot Laboratories downstream from the Umbilo Wastewater Treatment Works.

The upstream E coli count was 5810/100ml, while it measured at 61310/100ml downstream from the treatment works. A water body is deemed critical and dangerous to human health if the E coli level is in excess of 400/100ml.

The Umbilo wastewater treatment plant has broken down due to a lack of maintenance and no oversight over the wastewater treatment, with loadshedding an added contributing factor and is the source of the E.coli. Erasmus said the Umbilo river had been relatively polluted for several years, like every other river, before the flooding.

He adds that other contributing factors include illegal connections along the line, too many people living in particular residences, town planning not being adhered to, and the infrastructure needs to be developed alongside the developments.

“It’s a multiple factor and a lot of it does actually bridge to the council,” he says.

Listen to the interview with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Jonothan Erasmus on Radio Islam’s podcast.