The dreadful state of the Ezimbokodweni River has led to a permanent bad smell at the Amanzimtoti golf course and decline in the wildlife that used to be abundant in the area. Although there could be a number of companies that release waste into the river, the Isipingo Waste Water Treatment Works plant is believed to be the main polluter.
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According to Ted Holden, coordinator at the Amanzimtoti Country Club and Conservancy, the biggest culprit of the pollution is the Isipingo Water Treatment Works plant, which lies about 1.5km upstream of the golf course. The plant releases about 24 million litres of waste water daily into the into the river. Holden said the river does not deserve to be called a river any longer, but a waste water disposal channel.
“The 24 million litres is just an official number according to what the plant was designed for many years ago before most of the development and densifi cation we see today. No one knows the real output and they never tell us.”
He said the whole area used to be a paradise for birds and other wildlife, but the poor quality of the water has seen the numbers decline drastically as it is not safe to drink anymore. Fecal matter can be seen flowing down the river occasionally, but the plant always attributes that to accidental spills. As a result of natural erosion, the river has dropped about two metres over the years, which leads to damming near the mouth as it is too low to breach into the ocean. This results in the stagnated contaminated water to decay and smell.
“People from some government department used to come and test the water regularly, but that has not happened over the past few years. What we have is a major asset that needs protecting and a lot of people are concerned about the state of things.”
eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela said the water treatment plant is not the issue and the problem is with the Ezimbokodweni catchment network of pipes.
“The city is aware of the matter. We are in the process of repairing a 1 200mm diameter trunk sewer that collapsed and discharged into the river. The matter is being treated with the urgency it deserves and we are positive that it will be resolved soon,” said Mayisela.
According to information on the municipality’s website, the waste water processed at its water treatment plants has to be treated to certain standards first before it is released to rivers or the ocean.
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