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Green Net sceptical about Ugu’s plans to build a weir NTANDOYENKOSI DLAMINI
A
n environmental conservation organisation, the Green Net, is sceptical about the proposed construction of a weir across the Umzimkhulu River, on the South Coast. This comes after Ugu District Municipality announced plans to set up a weir across the river, in order to provide more potable water for the region and reduce saline intrusion at the St. Helen’s Rock pump station. The Green Net has called on members of the public to participate in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) required for the proposed project. Helen Dodge of the Green Net said the public needed to be involved, since issues of water management in the Ugu District affected all its residents. She questioned the logic behind the proposal saying building a weir would most likely turn the
estuary into a hyper-saline lagoon. This, she said, would have negative repercussions for all fauna and flora, above and below the weir, as well as in the ocean. Meanwhile, South African water scientist, Professor Anthony Turton, said Ugu should first consider repairing and maintaining its existing infrastructure before building something new. Turton said a recent report showed water losses in KZN average an estimated 37%. “Repairing the infrastructure would provide many jobs and substantially increase potable water availability without any further intervention. A community education programme (possibly using a phone application) could help to reduce illegal connections and improve reporting mechanisms,” he said. Turton was brought in by the Green Net for his expert knowledge in such issues. He said when he was at the Umzimkhulu River recently, he found that over the last decade or so, at least
six berms had been built across, which failed. Turton added that the berms had caused erosion on the river banks, which had added to the saline intrusion and threatens nearby infrastructure. “It appears that these berms were constructed by Ugu, or with their permission. We question the logic of repeating an exercise which proves ineffectual, not just once but at least five times,” he said. Dodge said the Umzimkhulu river contributes to the ongoing existence of fish and other marine animals that move between the ocean and the river to breed. She added that they would be providing community information sessions across the Ugu region in October and providing reply forms for residents who wished to register on the project’s database. “Information will also be available on our Facebook page, The Green Net, and our website www.thegreennet.org.za,” she said.
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