THE Eco Champs’ water quality testing has been running for just over two months.
Through the initiative, quantitative data to compliment the river monitoring aspect of the project has been provided.
The project manager, Nick Swan, said the sampling involves 10 sample points, covering about 6km of the river, starting at the overland source in New Germany.
“The team tests for the presence of faecal bacterial colonies and E.Coli, and the concentrations of nitrate and phosphate in the river. Tests are conducted using kits provided by iWater, with assistance from GCS environmental consultants,” said Swan.
He said the tests are done under supervision of a trained hydrologist. To date the team has found that the river has a high level of bacterial contamination.
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“Bacterial colonies have been found in all 10 sites, including the source of the river and the waste-water treatment works. Nitrate levels have largely remained at or below the safe limit of 10 mg/l, but phosphate levels have frequently exceeded this limit, sometimes reaching 100 mg/l. This suggests that a high volume of organic waste is entering the river at or near the source, in addition to the problem areas identified in the Clermont area,” explained Swan.
The data is recorded each week and has potential use in identifying ‘hot spots’ of poor water quality, as well as pinpointing sources of pollution and water contamination.
It has also been used to discuss possible future initiatives to rehabilitate the river using artificial wetlands.
“The test kits are kindly sponsored by Prof Esta van Heerden of iWater Environmental Solutions and GCS Environmental Consultants,” added Swan.
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