KUILSRIVIER 29 jaar van Gehalte Kennis Puik Diens Bekwame Personeel
Woensdag, 3 Julie 2013 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | epos: nuus@tygerburger.co.za | www.tygerburger.co.za
Rubbish and contamination plague the Kuils River and cause a stench which residents find unbearable.
KUILS RIVER: NOT SAFE
River contaminated
MICHELLE LINNERT
A
ngry residents of the greater Kuils River area have taken it upon themselves to try and solve the continual contamination problem of the stinky and fly-ridden Kuils River and some specified inflows. The Association for Healing, a Section 21 company from Kuils River, appointed an independent water consulting firm, Equilibrium Water, to sample some of the water from affected areas. The consultancy has just released a report on its findings. It finds that the water supply in the areas tested is at some levels not fit for human contact, especially at the following spots: Sarepta, at the inflow at the bridge there, and at Wesbank bridge on the Stellenbosch Arterial road. “Take note that the contaminated storm water inflow at Sarepta has the highest
Chemical Oxygen Demand after filtration, which gives it the highest contamination count of all three samples tested – comparable to raw sewage,” the report said. “It is highly possible that this could be the main contributor of contamination to the Kuils River.”
Health threat “The water samples examined, especially the water taken from the Sarepta storm water discharge and Wesbank bridge is unfit for human contact or activities, and poses a definite health threat due to the presence of sewage, as well as the possibility of other forms of contaminants,” the report said. Residents feel too little is being done about the contamination, and that it has now reached crisis proportions. “A lot of articles have been written, but nothing has been done. I noted they (city offi-
cials) were cleaning the canal, but the problem is with the sewage – it means they are treating the symptoms and not the cause,” Leanne Stellenberg, MD for the Association for Healing, told TygerBurger. “The plight for us to do something came from the youth and parents in our area. Highbury, Kalkfontein and Nooiensfontein are badly affected by the stench and flies.” Besides the stench, residents have also been exposed to the very real threat of illness, and the most vulnerable victims are the children, the report said. “Based on the analytical results, observations on site as well as disease and sickness reported by residents whose children swim in the river, it is clear that this water source is severely contaminated and is currently a health threat to residents and children in the area.” V To page 2.
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NETCARE KUILS RIVER HOSPITAL is
Celebrating 11 yrs of excellence
Thank you to our community for their loyal support. Caring the Netcare Way : with competence, confidence and compassion www.netcare.co.za | e-mail us at kuilsrv@netcare.co.za Hospital no: 021 900 6000 | Accident & Emergency Unit: 021 900 6261 (24HRS)