This known fact has now been put on paper in a response to the woman who initiated the ‘Save the Olifants River’ project last year.
Ms Clarissa du Plessis, who resides on the banks of the Olifants River, decided to make her voice heard in an effort to save the beautiful water resource.
She orchestrated meetings and got several role players around the table to discuss and debate the fate of the river.
Du Plessis said she cannot longer sit still and see how the Olifants River is being strangled. She has seen the Olifants River in all its elements for the past 21 years.
“The Olifants River used to be a beautiful river, with clean drinking water. However the river turned into a toxic river, infested with the invasive aquatic weed Eichhomia Crassipes, better known as the Water Hyacinth,” she said passionately.
Water Hyacinths have been slowly suffocating Olifants River for years. This infestation is not only killing the river, it also has a huge impact on residents.
“The rotting smell is terrible. You can’t breathe,” said Du Plessis.
During a meeting in November last year, Ms Daleen Strydom, from the Department of Environmental Affairs’ Working for Water programme said Water Hyacinths are a category one weed according to the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (CARA). It is prohibited and must be controlled.
Strydom explained that Water Hyacinths thrive in water with very high nutrient levels like phosphates.
She pointed out that the culprit here is the Riverview Waste Water Treatment Works upstream of R555 bridge.
“Operating at 143.6% of its design capacity, according to a recent Green Drop report, this plant is contributing the necessary phosphates Water Hyacinths need for prolific growth. Infestation can double in size in six days,” she said.
She made it clear that the weeds will not be contained, until the waste water plant is fixed.
In a letter to Du Plessis Mr Fikile Guma, Provincial Head of the Department of Water Affairs in Mpumalanga wrote, “With its headwaters on the south western part of Mpumalanga, Olifants catchment is a host to a variety of economic activities. The notable industrial processes encompass power generation, mining and agriculture. The recent past has seen a steady rise in levels of dissolved chemical compounds in river water, owing to escalating economic activities and associated human settlement. The rapidly growing human population has rendered the old waste water treatment infrastructure ineffective in dealing with the increasing waste load.”
He mentioned the levels of euthrophication associated with discharge of poorly treated effluent have begun to threaten the integrity of the resource.
“Four waste water treatment works within Emalahleni Local Municipality have been identified as contributors to the water quality problems. The evidence of high levels of sulphate also bears signature of mining activities, particularly within the upper Olifants Catchment.”
In response to the imminent threat to Olifants River, the department’s Mpumalanga Provincial Office has formed a forum through partnerships with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the local municipality. It was recommended that the waste water treatment works be refurbished. The waste water treatment works include Ferrobank, Rietspruit, Riverview and Naauwpoort.
Guma said the refurbishments can be funded through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant.
“It is clear that our campaign did not fall on deaf ears. I would like to thank everybody who supports me in the struggle to save our beloved river,” said Du Plessis.
“Could I please request all to keep a look-out for any other illegal spills of unwanted waste dumped into the river? A huge spillage from a hostel, and Clearwater Estate on the R555, flowing into Olifants River also came to my attention. The matters are being investigated,” she said.
Du Plessis said she also received photos of someone building a dam wall in the Olifants River, 500m below the Riverview Waste Water Treatment Plant. The dam wall will cause river banks to flood, and could damage property and assets downriver.
“If anybody can assist in giving me information or contact details of the owner, it would be highly appreciated,” she said.
Du Plessis can be contacted on 082 906 0012.
Previous article involving Riverview sewrage plant with video.
