NEWCASTLE – Local conservationist, Bradley Gibbons has weighed in on the state of the Ncandu River.
Related article: Woe of residents – Vagrancy and overgrowth at Ncandu River
The decline of the river might not be a new phenomenon, but it appears municipal officials have taken to ignoring the problems.
Enquiries made as far back as May remain unanswered.
In highlighting the situation, Mr Gibbons mentioned seeing many polluted areas near the river, and bags filled with waste hanging on trees or in the river itself.
“People need to give water more respect. People must look at water quality and not water quantity.”
He was uncertain what the municipality could do to save the Ncandu River.
Suggestions included the municipality assisting with clean-up operations to remove physical waste, but also pointed out the role of the public, who dump at and near the river.
Also see: Ncandu River clean-up switches into high gear
Mr Gibbons believes residents should face consequences for those illegal actions.
“I have loads of ideas, but it also starts at schools – to be taught at school not to litter and not dump in rivers. Hopefully adults can learn from them.”
Safeguarding local water resources has become more important than ever, with low rainfall resulting in low levels at the Chelmsford/Ntshingwayo Dam.
As of this week, the dam has dropped to below 48 per cent capacity.
There have been continued requests for the sparing use of water by Dumisani Thabethe, Customer Relations Manager for uThukela Water.
“Stop watering gardens, and report water wastage to 086 014 4144,” a recent SMS read.
