E. coli contamination threatens Salt Rock stream
A water sampling report conducted by Siza Water showed that E. coli levels were 'too high to count'.
Garden Road residents in Salt Rock are concerned about their health and the environment after extreme high levels of E. coli were detected in the stream running toward Salt Rock’s main beach.
Tipping off the Courier, a retired doctor said they noticed the deterioration of the stream earlier in August after several of his eels had died.
He said two employees of his had also suffered severe gastroenteritis after working in the stream.
Subsequent to this, the doctor managed to get his hands on a water sampling report conducted by Siza Water, since verified to be legitimate.
Confirming the authenticity, public relations officer for Siza Water, Khosi Mathenjwa, said they were alerted of the possible contamination by Salt Rock ward councillor Privi Makhan.
“We took samples at various places along the stream and identified a blockage upstream which has since been resolved,” Mathenjwa said.
The samples showed that E. coli levels within the stream were “too high to count”. Mathenjwa said they would be conducting more sampling to determine points of contamination.
It is understood the source of the contamination may emanate from the desludging of a dam. A leaked KwaDukuza municipal email indicated that flooding of the stream owing to the desludging of the dam had caused severe damage to municipal infrastructure and private properties.
The stream runs through five private properties, including that of the retired doctor. He said he was concerned about the potential negative impact on tourism if the stream were to breach and pollute Salt Rock’s main beach.
Councillor Makhan told the Courier she could confirm that the municipality had launched investigations into the illegal discharge of material into the watercourse further upstream.
“There needs to be swift outcomes and communities need to be more aligned to environmentally compliant practices. Unlawful practices of contaminating our ecosystems must be dealt with urgently to ensure that further decimation of our environment is prevented,” she said.
KwaDukuza municipality had not responded at the time of going to print.
Follow The North Coast Courier on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube for breaking news
Telegram Broadcast Service: https://t.me/joinchat/yJULuN8NaCs5OGM0
WhatsApp Broadcast Service: Add The Courier to WhatsApp at 082 792 9405 and WhatsApp your name and surname to be added.
