RNW and WaterCAN conduct water testing workshop

WaterCAN and Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch (RNW) held a successful workshop with volunteers from First National Bank at the Manie Mulder Adventure Centre on November 28.

The workshop was held to unpack the operation of water testing kits distributed monthly by WaterCAN to thousands of citizen scientists to collate results and determine the state of the country’s streams and rivers, which are being threatened by severe pollution.

According to RNW chairperson Andreas Oberlechner, the volunteers from FNB have been working closely with RNW at the adventure centre over the past year.

“They have been assisting us at our regular clean-up campaigns within the centre with the aim being the eventual restoration of the Witpoortjie Kloof.

“With data collected thus far indicating that nearly 90% of rivers and streams throughout the country are severely affected by pollution, we thought it wise to educate the volunteers on the citizen water testing initiative of WaterCAN.”

The WaterCAN initiative is run under the auspices of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa).

“With these test kits the public can test for water hardness, chlorine content, bromine, alkalinity and pH balances,” says Oberlechner. “The kits also enable testing for phosphates, nitrites and nitrates, all of which are an indicator of the health or otherwise of our river systems.

“Most importantly the test kits contain two simple tests for coliform and E. coli which can have serious adverse health implications for anyone using the river water.

“The information gathered has been vital in holding authorities to account for their failure nationally to protect our environment and uphold the provisions of the Water Act.

“It is easy to dismiss anecdotal allegations of water pollution without proper scientific data.

“These tests however make it very difficult for municipalities nationwide to dismiss the accusations and avoid being held to account.”