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STATEMENT: uMngeni-uThukela Water ramps up river water quality testing and monitoring as Duzi Canoe Marathon approaches.
With the Duzi Canoe Marathon just two weeks away – it will take place from 16-18 February 2023 – uMngeni-uThukela Water is undertaking additional river water quality sampling. This is occurring weekly at multiple points in the Msunduzi River, including the route of the race. The race takes place from Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg to Blue Lagoon in Durban.
Ordinarily, uMngeni-uThukela Water does sampling weekly in the Msunduzi River, as part of its routine raw water quality monitoring programme. The majority of the sampling points are on the upper Msunduzi River catchment and within the Msunduzi area. The sampling includes major Msunduzi River tributaries, namely the Slangspruit, Dorpspruit and Baynespruit.Sampling is able to characterise the sewage collection-related challenges within the Msunduzi area. Water quality results are communicated weekly to key stakeholders, including the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Msunduzi Local Municipality, with a view to early detection of problem areas and implementation of remedial action.
The sampling being undertaken in the run-up to the Duzi Canoe Marathon began on 23 January 2023 and is in addition to the routine monitoring that occurs.
The additional sampling is being undertaken in conjunction with the Duzi-uMngeni Conservation Trust (DUCT). Samples from pre-determined points are collected by representatives of DUCT while uMngeni-uThukela Water conducts analysis and reporting to stakeholders.
Additional sampling will continue until the day of the race at several points downstream in the Mgeni River leading to Inanda Dam.
The most recent E. coli results signify that parts of the Msunduzi River have been impacted by sewage-related contamination. The recent heavy rainfalls have contributed to deterioration in water quality.
It is a common occurrence that rainfall-related runoff and sewer leakages associated with storm water sewer ingress generally result in greater sewage-associated contamination of parts of the Msunduzi River. The extent of sewage-associated water quality deterioration is always proportional to the quantum of the recorded precipitation.
The recent elevated E. coli results within the upper Msunduzi catchment are largely due to sewer leakages within Msunduzi area. E. coli results from the Darvill Wastewater Treatment Works, on the other hand, have been relatively low, thus this plant has had no significant role in the recently recorded Msunduzi River sewage contamination.
It generally occurs that in the absence of heavy rainfall and associated runoff from the catchment, water quality of the Msunduzi River improves significantly.
In the days ahead, depending on the outcomes of river water quality monitoring and if requested by the organisers of the race, uMngeni-uThukela Water will be able to release water from the decommissioned Henley Dam. This dam is currently at 107%. Releases from it will flush the Msunduzi River and increase its level, enabling paddlers to move through it swiftly.
Issued by the Corporate Stakeholder Management Unit Office of the Chief Executive, uMngeni-uThukela Water
Friday, 3 February 2023
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