Swartkops River smells like disaster

THE unbearable stench of dead fish and sewage in the polluted Swartkops River smells like disaster when crossing the 200-metre-long Nivens Bridge in Kariega.

Frank Collier, chairman of the Zwartkops Conservancy said every section of the river has its own problem, but what is seen at the Nivens Bridge is very alarming. According to Collier Japanese algal bloom was found in the Swartkops River near Redhouse earlier this year.

Apart from the dead fish the Swartkops River is heavily polluted owing to residents throwing rubbish into water canals and blocked sewers flowing into the river.

“The river turns dark brown from this Japanese algal bloom, it does not operate in fresh water and does not operate in salt water, but in between. It takes all the oxygen out of the river and then you see the fish and other aquatic life dying,” said Collier.

“But the dead fish at Nivens Bridge are not necessarily caused by a sewage spill, it could be something else, so there must be something seriously wrong in the river upstream,” said Collier.

Collier said the Trusts conservation officers will immediately inspect the situation to find the cause of the dead fish.

The blocked sewer next to the Doornhoek Road opposite Gerald Smith. Single use products like nappies, sanitary pads, condoms and even clothing could be seen at the blocked sewer.

In a study done during 2019 by JB Adams from the Nelson Mandela University, it was found that “the overloaded and poorly maintained wastewater treatment works, polluted stormwater runoff and solid waste have all contributed to the deterioration in the water quality of the river and estuary.”

Collier said they are aware of the constantly blocked sewer next to the Doornhoek Road opposite Gerald Smith.