SEDGEFIELD NEWS - Following reports that the Eden District Municipality (EDM) Health Department found unacceptably high levels of E.coli in the Swartvlei Estuary, Sedgefield authorities met to discuss a solution to the problem.
The latest E.coli reading taken by the EDM showed E.coli counts of more than 2 419 per 100ml. Acceptable levels for E.coli in recreational areas, as recommended by the Department of Water Affairs (DWAF) should be between 0 – 500 per 100ml.
Nandi Mgwadlamba, communications manager of Garden Route National Park, the custodians of the estuary, said that representatives of EDM, Knysna Municipality, SANParks and the Knysna Basin Project were in agreement that the source of the E.coli should be investigated as a matter of urgency.
In the meantime, a Sedgefield resident (who prefers to remain anonymous) alleges that this was not a new problem and added that the municipality had been warned by a resident micro-biologist about the changes in E.coli patterns a few years ago. “These warnings were ignored,” he said.
Leakage of old septic and conservation tanks
According to James-Brent Styan, media liaison officer for the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, the source of the E.coli in the estuary remains unknown.
He suggested that a possible source for the pollution may be old septic and conservation tanks. "Almost 80% of the houses on the Sedgefield Island have septic tanks. Due to the lifespan of this infrastructure, a possibility exists regarding ingress of sewage."
The resident agreed and alleged that when the municipality started charging for the ‘honey sucker’ (sewage removal tanker), some residents broke a hole in the side of their conservancy tanks, resulting in untreated sewage filtering into the ground.
"The muncipality is, accordingly, already addressing this issue by future planning of upgrading to a waterborne system and/or replacement of existing tanks," said Styan.
Wastewater treatment works
The resident further alleged that the municipality had received a warning by DWAF that the Sedgefield Wastewater Plant was not effective and was working over capacity. He added the municipality was given a time period in which to address the problem."A consulting engineer was appointed to design a system to sewer the Island and the rest of Sedgefield. This plan was presented together with the increasing the capacity of the sewage works.”
Styan confirmed that the treatment works is now in the process of being upgraded with Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) funds. “The Knysna Municipality together with other stakeholders have action plans at hand. All stakeholders have weekly meetings regarding this subject [E.coli] as it is seen as a high priority.”
Styan added: “Due to irregular rainfall and seasonal variations and weather levels within the estuary, the mouth of the estuary is closed and this may have led to the high E.coli count.”
Mgwadlamba said: "It is important to find the source of the problem and treat that.” During a stakeholders' meeting on October 28, SANParks undertook to take an additional seven water samples along the Swartvlei Estuary system. Mgwadlamba added that local estuarine expert, Professor Brian Allanson of the Knysna Basin Project, supported the move for rigorous testing due the size of the estuary (covering 190 hectares from the mouth to the N2 bridge).
Mouth won't be breached
She further said that the presence of E.coli at the Swartvlei Mouth is not a valid reason to open the mouth through breaching. “SANParks is not convinced this is the solution to the emerging challenge.
“Neither the levels of E.coli at the mouth, nor the salinity levels in the water (mainly due to the estuary mouth having been open for extended periods after the 2007 floods, resulting in an inflow of saltwater from the sea) are valid reasons to deviate from the National Parks management plan for estuaries. These plans guide the breaching process. Premature breaching without sufficient evidence of an emergency will, in the long-term, compromise both the system and those living close to it,” she concluded.
The Department of Water Affairs had not commented at time of going to print.
Water shortage
The Knysna Municipality has indicated that the region is in a relatively drier seasonal cycle since below average rainfall is predicted for the Summer months. According to the municipality, the area is not facing a drought. "A drought is when there is no water."
It maintains that water demand management measures communicated to residents recently are meant to encourage residents in Sedgefield, Knysna and surrounds to use water sparingly. "The weir in Karatara which might have contributed to high salinity levels is now functional again. The desalination plant and boreholes will provide sufficient water to Sedgefield."
ARTICLE: FRAN KIRSTEN - Knysna/Plett Herald
