KNYSNA NEWS - With the holiday season fast approaching, the Knysna-Plett Herald receives calls, almost daily, from potential visitors to the area inquiring about the health of the Knysna Estuary.

"We often visit Knysna, but are a little loath to do so this year. Will it be safe for the children to swim in the lagoon?" asked one such upcountry caller.

The Eden District Municipality provided the actual bacterial load figures as per sample monitoring performed on October 26:

• Belvidere Bay - 41/100ml.
• Brenton on Lake - 31/100ml.
• Bollard Bay - 31/100ml.
• Green Hole - 52/100ml
• The Point - 10/100 ml.
• Crabs Creek - 20/100ml.
• Heads - 31/100ml.

These figure all fall within the acceptable Target Water Quality Range (for recreation) of 0-130 E.coli to 100ml as set out by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF). According to the DWAF guidelines, a low risk of gastrointestinal illness is indicated for contact recreational water use. Typically, it is not expected that more than eight illnesses will occur for every 1 000 swimmers.

"We have referred certain areas to SANParks in Knysna, as the management of those areas falls under their jurisdiction. According to legislation, Eden only plays a monitoring role, therefore we can only provide ... the results of those areas," explained Marillia Veldkornet, Eden District Municipality communications officer.

Knysna acting municipal manager, Lauren Waring, said, "As and when the results of these tests [water tests performed by Eden District Municipality] are made available to us, they are placed on our website (www.knysna.gov.za)."
She referred the newspaper to SANParks, "guardians of the estuary", for an overview of the state thereof.
SANParks media liaison, Zanemvula Gozongo, responded, "Kindly, be advised that the latest data set, as provided by Eden District Health, indicates that all e.coli readings are below the levels of concern for recreation use. Currently there are no areas of concern of E.coli pollution within the estuary."

Bacterial load in culverts and streams
However, the bacterial load recorded in various culverts and streams leading into the lagoon remain high:

• Bigia stream - 2 419/100ml.
• Bongani stream - 770/100ml.
• Queen Street culvert - 2 419/100ml.
• Train Bridge culvert - 594/100ml.
• Oystercatcher culvert - 638/100ml.
• Long Street culvert - 119/100ml.
• Salt River - 211/100ml.

Five of the six measurements above have an E.coli range greater than 400/100ml (the top end of the scale), and DWAF warns: "Risks of health effects associated with contact recreational water use increases as E.coli levels increase. The volume of water which needs to be ingested in order to cause ill effects decrease as the E.col density increases."
Besides the implication of the health risks, these heavily polluted water resources flow directly into the Knysna Lagoon. "One would hope that the source of the pollution will soon be rectified to ensure a healthy lagoon for generations to enjoy after us," said a concerned Knysna resident.

Lagoon safe to enter
Several locals took to the lagoon on several inflatable, floating vessels over the weekend (November 12) to prove that the Knysna Estuary is safe, and none of the participants reported any ill effects from spending two hours drifting along with the tide.

In conclusion, Waring assured the visitors: "We welcome our visitors and assure them and our residents that we are working very closely with both Eden District Municipality and SANParks to ensure that everyone enjoys everything that our estuary has to offer this summer season. We do, however urge both visitors and residents to keep an eye on our website for updates on recorded E.coli levels."

ARTICLE: FRAN KIRSTEN, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD JOURNALIST