KNYSNA NEWS - If you were to swim at specific points in the Knysna estuary, chances are you could be taking your life in your hands.
This is due to dangerously high levels of E.coli at particular spots in the estuary and at culverts, according to last month's reading, which can cause a host of severe illnesses.
The acceptable limit, according to Water Affairs, is 500 E.Coli/100ml but an estuary water quality update published on the municipal website on 6 August shows that at least four culverts the reading was higher than 2 000/100ml, including one of 3 100/100ml. Out of seven estuary recreation points, at least one reads 2 690/100ml.
In the past seven months, recreation points that have exceeded the maximum E.Coli limit by more than fivefold include Belvidere, Salt River and The Point.
Sampling at the Ashmead Channel and Bongani Stream culverts have recorded levels of up to 21 800/100ml and 68 800/100 ml just in the past five months – the latter constituting an incredible 1 000% over the accepted limit.
Diseases in the mix
E. coli refers to a wide range of bacteria that can cause various diseases, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and diarrhoea. If an existing cut or bruise gets infected, it could result in amputation.
Chris Gould of the Knysna Ratepayers' Association, who also sits on the Estuary Forum, says that the causes of pollution vary. “A sewage pipe that was leaking for several weeks was discovered late, there's sometimes an issue at the treatment plant, and stormwater overflow also affects the readings,” he says.
The only reason the pollution in the Knysna Estuary is not considered a crisis or declared a disaster is because most of the water gets flushed out through the Heads twice a day thanks to the tides – a saving grace according to Louw Claassens, director of the Knysna Basin Project, who has since 2014 been involved with the research, education and conservation of the estuary. It is, however, the state of the water before the flushing takes place that is of a major concern to some.
'Significant human impact'
Claasens says there is still significant human impact on the water quality and very little to no accountability.
“The water being flushed out every so often makes monitoring more difficult, but it does give us an idea of what's going on,” she says.
Of particular concern is the Ashmead Channel, which at times has attracted high levels of E.Coli due to wastewater overflow, and which then breaks down into harmful elements such as phosphorus, nitrates and ammonia. “Bacteriological pollution points to raw sewage flowing into stormwater and drainage channels,” says Claassens. “This can be attributed to the poor management of the wastewater works.”
There are hot spots where noncompliance with the acceptable limits can be measured. Photo: D. Symons
She says there are hot spots where noncompliance with the acceptable limits can be measured, specifically at outflows.
“The biggest perception is that the wastewater plant is the biggest culprit. They have to comply with their water licence from the department of water affairs, but there have been instances of noncompliance since as far back as 2013,” says Claassens.
What about the seahorse?
She confirms that chlorine tablets were previously used by the municipality in stormwater drains, but this caused more harm than good – adversely affecting marine life –and was eventually stopped.
“They must chlorinate wastewater but this must be preferably automated, not manually as is the current situation.”
Commenting on the statement that the Knysna seahorse is "thriving" in the estuary, Claassens cautioned against "getting ahead of ourselves".
“The seahorse is confined to just a small area, around Thesen Island, where their populations are very dense. In the rest of the estuary, the seahorse is not thriving.”
She says that various interventions are being attempted, such as the estuary management plan, but this needs to be measured and reapplied if it has no significant positive impact.
“We need solid data to make decisions – this is not a blame game, but there need to be repercussions for noncompliance.”
'Regular water sampling '
According to SANParks area manager Megan Taplin, sampling is done monthly and more often during festive times.
“If there is a problem, we find the cause and address it. It could be a leakage or another challenge, and we can make recommendations based on the information we have,” says Taplin.
Like Claassens, she reiterates the fact that the Knysna estuary is ranked number one of 249 estuaries in South Africa in terms of importance due to the biodiversity found here.
Taplin agrees that the Ashmead Channel is particularly concerning.
“We engage with the municipality regularly. And sometimes it's not just the wastewater plant that's the problem, but other contributing factors such as litter, bags of rubbish and even dumping.”
Estuary is 'generally pristine'
James McCarthy, chief of Health Services at Eden District Municipality, says, “Although the general status of the estuary is pristine, some areas are prone to sporadic/chronic land-based pollution (as referred to in the monthly sampling results).
He confirms that sampling of 14 identified points in and around the estuary are undertaken every month and prior to any other identified water-related events to be held in the estuary.
McCarthy says all pollution issues that arise are discussed at the Estuary Pollution Committee meeting that convenes every Tuesday.
Asked if it is safe to swim in the estuary, his response is, “The status of water within the estuary can change within any time – public must adhere to the relevant signage posted by SANParks at identified areas.”
With regards to the Ashmead Channel, McCarthy states that it has been severely compromised due to long-term pollution (bacteriological, chemical and sediment) from the different catchment areas situated within this site.
Various pollution sources
He says various pollution sources include sewerage spillages from municipal infrastructure, waste pollution from stormwater drainage systems disposing into the estuary, and chemical pollution by industries/businesses.
“It is a combination of ignorance of public disposing waste and pollution sources into the estuary via stormwater culverts and municipal sewerage infrastructure that sporadically cannot cope with the overloaded capacity of the town.”
A local process chemical engineer, John Buchanan, says he has offered his expertise to the municipality on several occasions since 2007, but has been continuously "shut down". Photo: D. Symons
According to Knysna Municipality, there is no leakage from the wastewater treatment works (WWTW); it produces an effluent, and for that the WWTW has a permit/licence.
“An average flow at the WWTW is 6.5Ml/day. The WWTW is currently undergoing an upgrade, which will address current shortfalls,” Knysna Municipality says in a statement, and adds that chlorine gas is used for disinfection.
Experts 'offer help' with estuary health
“An external service provider measures total and free residual chlorine and the municipality makes an effort to adhere to the chlorine dosing rate.”
The statement continues: “Knysna Municipality remains committed to prohibit any pollution of its most important natural asset, the Knysna lagoon. Proactive plans to address the problem at the WWTW are well under way. During the last financial year, a sludge dry press was installed to alleviate some of the challenges with regards to sludge and effluent quality.”
A local process chemical engineer, John Buchanan, says he has offered his expertise to the municipality on several occasions since 2007, but has been continuously "shut down".
“The original cost for the WWTW was in the region of R36-million. The municipality has now spent R80-million and they are still going about it the wrong way,” says Buchanan, and questions whether the upgrade will really make a difference.
He explains that the treatment is incorrect because the "outside consultants appointed by the municipality do not understand what's going on".
“The plant is just not working, it is a dreadful situation. I have the knowledge and understanding of the chemical process required to have this situation fixed, and I am not alone. There are a few of us experts, staying in Knysna, and we've pleaded with the municipality to let us help. We are the right people. They just don't want us to.”
• Two weeks ago the municipality announced the completion of upgrades to the Sedgefield Waste Water Treatment Works. At a cost of R19.5-million, mainly funded by the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) with additional funding from the municipality. The question arises, how much money will be spent on the Knysna WWTW before it can finally function well too?
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