Concerns grow over health of Umgeni River

AFTER the closure of several Durban beaches, river conservationists have called for a formal investigation into the contamination of the Umgeni River.

Two weeks ago, various roleplayers raised the alarm over the discolouration of the river, which had a murky black discharge in it.

Blue Lagoon Beach, which is still closed, was one of five Durban beaches that were initially closed due to high levels of E. coli found after water quality tests.

Janet Simpkins, the founder and director of non-profit organisation (NPO), Adopt-a-River, said she remains concerned over the discolouration.

She said it poses a threat to wildlife, tourism, fisherfolk, paddlers and staff who clean the banks of the river.

Related story: WATCH: Durban North conservationist concerned over ‘murky discharge’ in Umgeni River

“The City has acknowledged major issues over the pump station at Johanna Road, which is a problem. However, from what we’ve seen, this discharge seems to be emanating from Durban’s Northern Waste Water Treatment Works outfall pipe. A water sample taken at the outfall pipe, which discharges supposedly treated waste water into the Lower Umgeni River, returned a shock reading of 1.986 million parts of E. coli coliform units per 100 ml,” Simpkins said.

She added that the Oceans Alive Conservation Trust has sponsored a full range of water tests at the same point.

“The results from the tests we’ve conducted reveal that the health of the lower Umgeni River, in particular, is at a critical level. We are calling for a formal enquiry into the management decisions around the sewage contamination of the lower Umgeni River and central beaches over the holidays and demand that the relevant city officials be held accountable,” Simpkins said.

While the eThekwini Municipality did not comment on the discharge seen at the outfall pipe, the municipality’s spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela, said the City was doing everything in its power to ensure that all beaches are safe for public use.

Also Read: Full steam ahead as teams tackle Ohlanga River clean-up operation

Mayisela said the high levels of the E. coli bacteria were compounded by the vandalism of one of the city’s sewage pump stations on Johanna Road in Kenville.

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