Warning to tackle river pollution issue
“SHOULD the pollution of rivers continue, we will find ourselves having to pay more just to access water.” This is according to Duzi-umngeni Conservation Trust (Duct), an organisation that champions the environmental health of the umngeni and umsunduzi rivers through its projects.
The organisation said the continued polluting of the rivers had negative effects on the dams and aquatic life, and would eventually affect humans because the water quality would deteriorate.
The community mobiliser of Duct, Sthembiso Sangweni, said the Msunduzi and ethekwini municipalities should not be the only ones to take the blame for the pollution of rivers, but residents too.
He said it was crucial for people to know that the water we drink comes from rivers and goes to dams. He added that if the pollution of rivers continued, dam management teams might have to spend more money purifying water, which would ultimately make water more costly.
Moreover, he said the sewage that went into rivers was one of the problems that has affected Inanda Dam, which was facing problems with water hyacinth, a plant that reduced water quantity as it consumed a lot of water. He added that this required a lot of money to fix.
“In Msunduzi Municipality the problem dates back to years ago. They did try to raise awareness of residents to not put foreign things in their toilets, as that would cause blockages,” said Sangweni.
He said illegal dumping in the rivers was also a problem. Sangweni added that they tried to engage the councillors in communities. He suggested that municipalities should have a budget for such things in order to preserve the health of our rivers.
Sangweni said it was vital for the municipalities as well as residents to make sure that the rivers were kept clean.
“As African people, we go to the rivers to perform certain rituals, and for that to be a success, a clean space is required,” he said.