MEMBERS of Palmiet River Watch were shocked after it was recently reported that the river had once again been subjected to some form of pollution.
Leon Grobbelaar, a member of the watch reported, on WhatsApp, a mobile messaging application used by the watch to monitor the river, a bright red discolouration near Cherry Road, Pinetown.
Lee D’Eathe, the founder of the watch, said “There has been a remarkable improvement in the water quality of the Palmiet River. The river has been running clear and we have received fewer reports of pollution. At times we have even received reports of fish beginning to return to the waters,” said D’Eathe.
According to D’Eathe, Grobbelaar’s report facilitated other members to report similar forms of pollution upstream. Subsequently, the watch was able to estimate the source of the pollution, and an official complaint was submitted to the relevant authorities.
“Within 30 minutes Water Quality Officials were on site, taking samples of the bright red pollution, before it was washed down steam. The water samples were submitted to a laboratory for analysis, so that the polluter can be identified and dealt with accordingly,” said D’Eathe.
Officials are still waiting for the results of the samples’ analysis, but they suspect that the pollution was caused by a resident or organisation washing paint down the stormwater drains. “All taps should be connected to a drain that leads into the sewerage system. Nothing other than rain water may run into storm water drains,” said D’Eathe. ‘
Contact D’Eathe on 083 461 5464
