A journey down the Aller River

THE fourth phase of the Aller River Pilot Project (ARPP) came to an end just as the country entered the Covid-19 lockdown at the end of March.

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Despite numerous difficulties, ARPP4 succeeded in demonstrating that the methodology and collection system for Absorbent Health Products (AHP), developed during Phase 3 of the project in the Ndunduma section of Clermont, is replicable and was successfully used in the KwaShembe area of Clermont in Phase 4.

From October 2019 to mid-March 2020, the project facilitated the collection of approximately 1 911kg of used AHPs (mostly disposable nappies) which were successfully diverted to a landfill.

“This was proportionately significantly less than had been collected during the Phase 3 of the project but nonetheless a significant achievement.

“The methodology used has also confirmed the feasibility of a differentiated collection system for AHPs which will significantly enhance the viability of an AHP recycling plant,” said Kloof Conservancy chairman, Paolo Candotti.

He said they have made recommendations to the municipal authorities on how they can take the solutions forward.

Taking a look back

The award-winning project has been making an impact since it started in 2016.

The Take Back Our Rivers (TBOR) project was started as a programme of the eThekwini Conservancies Forum with the Kloof Conservancy as the implementing agency to help address the problem of poor river health in eThekwini.

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The details of the Aller River Pilot Project were developed after a river walk in November 2015 which took place along the entire length of the river.

The walk was led by experienced ‘river walker’ Penny Rees from DUCT and included another experienced walker, Preven Chetty and TBOR team member, Mark Liptrot. Hugh McGibbon from the TBOR team provided logistical and back-up support to the team.

“The walk confirmed our worst suspicions that the Aller River was in very, very poor health,” said Candotti.Candotti said when they embarked on this project they did not really know what they had let themselves in for.

“As conservationists, we just wanted to help make our rivers healthy again and we wanted to end the never-ending cycle of clean-ups through a process of behaviour change with both residents in the catchment and the mandated authorities taking responsibility for river health,” he said.

Candotti explained that they understood from an early stage that developing grand plans and then imposing these on residents was not the way to go.

“We also learnt very quickly that simply educating and making people aware of issues impacting on river health and then expecting them to ‘do the right thing’ was also not a solution in itself.

“Instead, the team has worked hard to engage with the community and the authorities to co-develop solutions which give residents options they want to take because those options are beneficial to them,” said Candotti.

He added that being able to engage effectively with communities involves a process of building trust and mutual respect.

“I believe the project team has achieved this admirably and that has been a key element in enabling the project to meet its stated goals in each phase to date.

“This would not have been possible without the support we received from the municipal officials, schools, community organisations, conservancies, the project team and our funders.”

Candotti extended his sincere gratitude to all those who contributed towards the success of all four phases of the project.

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