ONGOING E. coli spills have left several conservation organisations concerned that the city’s sewerage system is on the brink of collapse.
Two organisations working to take action are WaterCAN, an initiative of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), and Durban-based non-profit Adopt-a-River which recently wrote to the eThekwini Municipality to address the issue.
This is after the two organisations conducted a series of E. coli tests along the Umbilo River over a six-week period, taking samples from above and below the Umbilo River Wastewater Treatment Works.
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According to WaterCAN’s KwaZulu-Natal representative, Jonathan Erasmus, samples collected, which were tested by Talbot Laboratories, revealed ‘critical’ E. coli levels.
Erasmus said E. coli levels of above 400/100ml are considered dangerous – while their test results from samples taken above the Umbilo River Wastewater Treatment Works revealed a count of 5 810/100 on February 2, 686 700/100 on February 15 and 129 970/100 on March 3. Erasmus added that results below Umbilo WWTW were: 61 310/100, 30 760/100 and 8 690/100 respectively for the same sample-collection dates.
Also read: WATCH: What a water-testing kit reveals about the Umbilo River
Taking action
With their findings, WaterCAN and Adopt-a-River sent a letter to the City, calling for officials to inspect, repair, upgrade and maintain the Umbilo River WWTW. Erasmus said the sample results should worry every senior City official whose mandate is to protect and maintain the city’s water systems.
“City officials’ constant neglect of our waterways could result in them being criminally charged. This is not an idle threat as there is case law developing around this type of accountability. The City needs to take the issue of water safety extremely seriously. In a water-scarce country like ours, the preservation of our water sources should be among the highest priorities of local, provincial and national government,” said Erasmus.
Janet Simpkins, founder of Adopt-a-River, said there is growing anger among the city’s residents and businesses over the state of river systems.
“Various organisations and individuals across the city and KwaZulu-Natal are working towards finding long-term solutions for the poor state of our river systems. We are exploring all possible means of changing the status quo. One proven method is the continued testing and publication of E. coli results by private individuals and non-profit organisations. We will continue to test, expose and demand accountability, river by river, beach by beach,” said Simpkins.
She added that Adopt-a-River had notified the City that they would begin taking more samples along the river in 60 days, during which time they expected the City to undertake urgent repair and maintenance initiatives.
The eThekwini Municipality was not available for comment at the time this article was published.
*This article was updated on March 27 at 10: 20.
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