RESIDENTS living alongside the Palmiet River in Westville have raised concerns over a foamy substance which they suspect is a result of chemical contamination, and which they said poses health risks and threatens the local wildlife.

A white foam which can be seen on the river’s current raised these suspicions and alarmed the residents.

The area’s ward councillor, Melanie Brauteseth, informed the Highway Mail that complaints received were forwarded to the eThekwini Municipality, and they await a report back on the investigations conducted by the municipality.

@caxtonlocalmedia Residents living alongside the Palmiet River in Westville have raised concerns over a suspected chemical contamination of the river. #HighwayMail #palmietriver #Westville ♬ original sound – caxtonlocalmedia

The municipality was yet to respond to a media enquiry by the Highway Mail.

The Highway Mail previously reported on worsening pollution in the same river. In June, 2019, the Palmiet River Watch (PRW) reported having recorded 15 incidents of pollution.

PRW’s Lee D’ Eathe, who said the river has been monitored for years, shared a document of the quality of the river’s water.

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According to this document, as of August 28, water samples taken from the Palmiet River show extremely high E. coli counts, ranging from 20 980 to 1 467 000 units above the critical level of 400, confirming severe contamination.

“The river is visibly discoloured, foul smelling, and biologically degraded, a clear public health hazard,” reads the document.

D’ Eathe said this matters because pathogens, which are harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and parasites that can cause serious illness, are found in contaminated rivers.

“E. coli is a key indicator of faecal contamination and the presence of other dangerous pathogens. As open sewer, this pollution threatens everyone who lives near or interacts with the river. It devalues riverside properties and strips residents of the natural amenities they invested in, and riverine creatures [are] gone.”

With regards to chemical contamination, the PRW found that this was a result of “frequently blocked or broken wastewater infrastructure”, which “sometimes causes a reduction in the counts of E. coli bacteria”.

“This occurs because certain chemicals present in polluted water suppress or kill E. coli, leading to lower bacteria readings. However, this does not mean the water is safe, as chemical contamination itself poses serious health risks and can mask the true extent of biological pollution.”

The group has cautioned residents to avoid contact with the river water, especially after rainfall, and to keep children and pets away from the polluted area.

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