Share

Pollution, bacteria testing taking place in Knysna Estuary

Regular pollution and bacteria testing has revealed a concentrated presence of E. coli bacteria in the Knysna Estuary, a SANParks spokesperson says.

According to SANParks, the bacteria has been found in high concentrations in specific areas.

"Areas that have shown constant high E. coli include the Bongani and Ashmead channels. The intervention is to understand the system, hence the Knysna Basin Project's effort to survey the tributaries flowing into the Knysna Estuary to try and probe sources of pollution as one aspect of the study," Nandi Mgwadlamba SANParks regional communications manager for the Garden Route National Park told News24 on Tuesday.

The Knysna Estuary is the largest tidal water exchange in South Africa and, while that gives it the ability to dilute effluent, the scale of the industrial development is beginning to have a negative effect.

Agencies including SANParks, the Garden Route District Municipality, the Knysna Municipality, and the Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agency have worked to address the problem.

E. coli levels have dropped in most of the areas except for the Ashmead and Thesen Island inlet, according to SANParks.

Mgwadlamba said authorities were planning a workshop to focus on the industrial area.

Oil and grease pollution

SANParks data also showed a decline in oil and grease pollution which affected the Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) as a result of the introduction of oil-eating bacteria.

"Letters requesting restaurants to provide proof of their oil and fat disposal mechanisms were completed. Recent oil and grease tests show a drastic decrease in levels at the municipality's WWTW. The municipality also removed residual oil and grease in sumps. This has brought on a subsequent recovery of the WWTW so that its functioning has improved," SANPArks said in a statement.

The Ashmead Channel is home to the Leisure Island Boat Club, but SANParks said that it was "not safe for use for swimming, bait collection, fishing or wading at present".

E. coli levels have dropped in most of the areas except for the Ashmead and Thesen Island inlet, according to SANParks.

"The latest samples of estuary water quality, taken by Garden Route District Municipality indicate that the Ashmead Channel, Bongani, Bigai, Long Street, Station culvert and the Knysna Angling Association (KADA) culverts are non-compliant, with E.coli readings above the Department of Water Affairs acceptable limits for recreational use."

The pollution in the estuary can have a detrimental impact on human consumption as well.

"Pollution is harmful to plant and animal life. If for example, if a fish swallows pollution and someone catches it later, that can affect the eater of that fish. Similarly, it can affect other fish eaters, seals and birds. Here we see how inter-connected humans are to animals, plants, the sea, the environment," said Mgwadlamba.

Knysna Waste Water Treatment Works is seen.

Knysna Waste Water Treatment Works is seen. (SANParks)

'Increased pollution levels'

Pollution levels in the estuary are not new.

A 2007, a CapeNature report compiled by Coastal and Environmental Services found that the Knysna Oyster Company had very low stocking densities for oysters it farmed in the Knysna estuary.

"The main reason for this is that the survival rate of oysters has dropped dramatically over the last four years from 55% to 20%," read the report.

"The company believes this is largely due to increased pollution levels in the lagoon. This is supported by the extremely high arsenic levels that were detected in tests after a heavy mortality event last year; both SANParks and the Knysna Municipality were furnished with the test results," the report added.

The Knysna Municipality in 2014 sponsored a clean-up of the Bongani river which flows into the estuary. As part of the River Health Programme, 30 women cleaned the river on a weekly basis.

According to the SANParks Garden Route National Park Knysna Coastal Area State Of Knowledge report, the potential for pollution in the estuary is high because of 111 drainage pipes discharging water from residential and industrial areas.

According to SANParks, the Knysna municipality will be given an opportunity to provide further action plans to rectify the situation in the estuary.

SANParks will also conduct regular water sampling in order to keep track of the extent of the pollution.

"If the pollution ends up killing plants and animals, we lose out on species. Current and future generations might never know them as they might go extinct if they die in large numbers. Pollution is a killer, whichever way you look at it," said Mgwadlamba.

KEEP UPDATED on the latest news by subscribing to our FREE newsletter.

- FOLLOW News24 on Twitter

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
42% - 391 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
58% - 541 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
910.50
+1.5%
Palladium
1,011.50
+1.0%
Gold
2,221.35
+1.2%
Silver
24.87
+0.9%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE