Palmiet River pollution causes unbearable odour

WITH waves of severe river water pollution flowing down the Palmiet River, residents living along the banks say they are forced to keep their doors and windows closed to avoid the terrible smell.

Numerous cases of pollution which contributed to the change in the colour of water have been reported in the past few weeks.

ALSO READ: Avoid contact with water in Palmiet River

Last Thursday, a resident in Cherry Road reported white sewage with industrial waste which polluted the Palmiet River.

The river was also polluted with thick foam last week. This was reported at Birdhurst Road, Tunbridge Drive and Blair Road.

There were also complaints of a terrible odour emanating from the milky coloured water.

ALSO READ: Palmiet pollution takes a toll on wildlife

Lee D’ Eathe, founder of the Palmiet River Watch, said the constant pollution just doesn’t give the creatures that should inhabit the river a chance to recover; and even the side-streams, which are important environmental buffers, are stressed and need attention.

“Nine or 10 river water pollution events are being detected and reported by the river watch folk every month, enabling the authorities to attend to blockages and defects more effectively.”

Lee said while the recent rain was welcomed, it posed a threat because past development does not have the current stringent environmental requirements of today.

ALSO READ: Blocked sewer line contaminates Palmiet River

“As a result, concentrated rainwater runoff causes stream and bank erosion, along with riverine habitat loss, throughout the Palmiet Valley and causes increasing downstream risk and damage,” he said.

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