Coast KZN

State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
Chapter 4: Coastal Environment Chapter 5: Estuarine Environment Chapter 6: Marine Environment Chapter 7: Human Environment Chapter 8: Economic Environment
Chapter 9: Governance Environment Chapter 10: Conclusions
The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

Ugu Lwethu- Our Coast Defining the Coastal Zone The Physical and Coastal Environment Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
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Pressures and Threats Management of the Coastal and Marine Environments Understanding our Coast
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Coastal access

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Estuaries

What is an Estuary? Know your Estuaries Estuary Health and Conservation KZN Estuary Observer Programme
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Recreation
Recreation

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Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

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Coastal issues

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17 Aug 2020

No wonder it stinks! High levels of E. coli found in uMbilo River

Evelyn Morris (Highway Mail) Picture: Sandra Streak who lives close to the river sent this picture to the uMbilo River Watch Whatsapp group on 11 July showing the river running black.

The results of water samples taken by the eThekwini Municipality have revealed the shocking state of the infamously polluted uMbilo River. The results, shared on a uMbilo River community WhatsApp group on Friday last week, showed high levels of E. coli (Escherichia coli) – a type of bacteria that normally lives in gastrointestinal tracts. The samples were taken from the river in June and July.

In March this year, Neil Pearce, one of the members of the group, organised a series of photographs to show the difference in water quality above and below the eThekwini Umbilo Municipal Wastewater Treatment Works near Sarnia. He said he believes the results highlight the severe contamination of the river, which is something residents have been complaining about for years. Residents in the Mosley, Escombe and Northdene areas of Queensburgh say they can smell the contamination in the river as soon as they arrive back from working in other parts of the city.

“We have known this river was bad, we could smell it everyday. The river smells like a sewer, but these results show there really is something wrong,” said Sandra Streak, who lives near the river.

Repeated attempts by the Highway Mail to obtain comment from the city have been unsuccessful.

To join the monitoring WhatsApp group follow this link: uMbilo Watch Chat Group.

 

Online Article