RESIDENTS are warned to have no contact with the water in the Umbilo River, which flows under and alongside Solomon Mahlangu Drive (formerly Edwin Swales VC).
An urgent health advisory was issued by the municipality last week after toxicity tests were done on the water.
The tests were necessary following a fire at a chemical warehouse, alongside the river, in Pinetown on Saturday, 7 February. Water used to combat the blaze mixed with chemicals and flowed into stormwater drains. The results of toxicity tests show the water is poisonous to marine life and people are urged to stay clear of the water and to ensure their pets are kept away too.
The contamination is spreading further downstream, as the water flows towards Durban Harbour. People living and working along Solomon Mahlangu and in Westmead, Queensburgh, Northdene, Paradise Valley and other areas near the river have been warned to avoid the water – this includes eating fish caught in the river. As a precaution, the municipality has sealed off stormwater drains to prevent further contamination.
