What goes down the drain pollutes bird park, river

DESPITE a spirited effort by Toti Conservancy members, Southgate Business Park and concerned community members, pollution continues to make its way into Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary.

Much of the pollution that ends up in the park’s waterways is carried into the nature reserve via the river that feeds the bird park.

“The ongoing problem of pollution, both sewage, industrial or chemical, ending up in the bird park dam and our rivers is cause for serious concern,” said the conservancy’s Corinne Winson.

“eThekwini Municipality’s water and sanitation division has been most efficient in following up on incident reports and regular water testing is carried out. Some unnamed culprits have been identified and fined, however more also needs to be done by us, the local community.

In particular, pollutants entering stormwater drains need to be highlighted, such as the washing of cars in the street and illegal dumping of water used for cleaning paint equipment. Residents are often unaware, or careless that even minor pollutants hosed down from their property into the stormwater drains can cause major problems for our water resources.”

Blame for the instigators of the industrial pollution entering the bird park has often mistakenly been placed on tenants at the business park. Management takes a dim view on polluters in the park and subsequent investigations has revealed the park’s tenants are not to blame.

“The Southgate Business Park Owners Association has during the past few years given me the directive to try and minimise our footprint in the area,” said park manager, Frans van der Merwe.

“To this end we have been inspecting inlets to the stream regularly and reporting any changes we observe to Metro, and to people involved in the conservancy.

We have also tried to educate our tenants regarding the impact of washing vehicles, cleaning paint brushes and the like has on the condition of the stream that feeds the bird park, the main river and ultimately, the ocean. Most of our tenants, many of whom live in the area, are aware and try their best not to impact on the environment.

The association welcomes any action by the authorities to find and prosecute any person who contributes towards pollution, whether inside the park or outside.

Over the last three years we have done more than can be expected in an effort to stop the pollution and we remain committed to solving this problem through observation and reporting, along with our own brand of education.

It is important that everyone in the area realise that what you allow down the drain does end up in the stream that feeds the bird park.”

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