RESIDENTS from Queensburgh and the Pinetown areas who have formed an action group about the pollution of the uMbilo River finally had a chance to meet with city officials.
The residents were shocked at the findings of recent water samples taken by the eThekwini Municipality have revealed the shocking state of the infamously polluted uMbilo River.
ALSO READ: No wonder it stinks! High levels of E. coli found in uMbilo River
A small group, representing the community at large, which has been monitoring the levels of pollution in the river which winds through Pinetown and Queensburgh said this was the first time anyone had actually taken the trouble to listen to them and give them feedback.
The meeting took place outside the offices of the eThekwini Umbilo Municipal Wastewater Treatment Works.
The discussion which lasted more than two hours resulted in a decision that a task team would be set up, including representatives of the residents, to find answers to the long-standing issues which have left the river polluted.
Sandra Streak, a Queensburgh resident who lives near the river, said the meeting was just a first step and the community was determined to keep applying pressure to ensure the river was saved.
“In a effort to form a central point for all correspondence on a open platform we have a google group for the Umbilo River Community.” said Streak. “Please send a email request to be added to this platform, send your name and address to umbilorivercommunity@gmail.com.”
At the end of the meeting, Delwyn Pillay, Greenpeace Africa volunteer, handed over the petition he had been working on with the community river watch group over the past months.
ALSO READ: [VIDEO] Queensburgh residents cry a river over the state of the uMbilo River
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