Concerns over rising levels of pollution in Msunduzi River
Two concerned Pietermaritzburg groups say it's no longer business as usual with the rising levels of pollution in the Msunduzi River.
David Still, who is the chairperson of the Duzi-uMngeni Conservation Trust chairperson and the convenor of Msunduzi River Crisis Committee, says concerns over frequent sewage spills and their impact on the water quality were recently raised in a meeting that included the two organisations.
The increase in pollution in the river saw the starting point of this year's Dusi Marathon brought forward 10 km to Bishopstowe, instead of the original start at Camps Drift.
"Over the last few years, the pollution levels have got much worse. For example, the E. coli level in the last two years is 12 times more than it was a decade ago," says Still.
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He says they would like to see tangible commitments and a budget that provides suitable equipment to get work done.
"If the river is polluted, it affects what can live in the river. It also causes our dams, like Inanda, to get overloaded with nutrients which means we get toxic algae growing in the dams.
“Also, a lot of evasive weeds and ultimately the treatment of water will become harder and also the recreational value. The river gets lower for fishing, and everything becomes compromised. Kids like to swim in the river, and it is not safe for them to do so."
