DEAR Editor,-
What a week of bad news for our environment, beginning with yet another delay in the release of the Green Drop Report on the state of the sewerage and waste water treatment works in South Africa. This suggests that we should expect bad news.
This is such a good programme, but if the report is not released regularly, non-performing municipalities are simply left to bury their heads in the sand while untreated sewage flows unabated into our rivers and beaches.
In more bad news, a recent media report quotes the figure of R7-billion as the value of potable water lost in South Africa annually. Our high usage and the inefficient delivery of water to all people is an embarrassment – leaks, non-collection and illegal connections are not addressed. This while expensive government-funded advertising campaigns urge people to use this precious resource sparingly. More heads in the sand.
And finally there is the hideously embarrassing story of medical waste washing up on Durban beaches. How is this possible in light of the stringent legislation controlling the disposal of medical waste? Fortunately the beaches were closed quickly. The DA is committed to establishing how and why this happened and ensuring that steps are taken to ensure that it does not happen again.
Our natural resources are under constant threat. It is government’s mandate to protect them for future generations. On August 3, the people of KZN have the opportunity to vote for change – change in the quality and delivery of essential services like water and waste disposal. The DA has a proven track record.
ANN McDONNELL, MPL
DA KZN Spokesperson on Conservation and Environmental Affairs
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