Dear FoZRs
This City better get their Sh1T together!!! And I thought it was just us in Zeekoevlei – grrrrr! This is a letter I received from a friend, please read it.
How very, very sad is this ?
Health Warning – Black River Paddle this Sunday
Dear Friends
As a Peninsula Paddle and Stand Up Paddle enthusiast, it saddens me to have to share the following health warning with you. (More paddle info at the end of this mail)
Paddlers will be exposed to serious health risks in the Black River, this coming Sunday!
One of Cape Town’s top freshwater experts, Dr Liz Day warned me yesterday that most of the consultants working on recent contract in the Black river contracted Hepatitis!
Living adjacent to the river I am constantly reminded of the sad state of this river via the odours, discoloration and floating litter and debris and sewage in the river. I have recently scrutinized the latest water quality results from the City, and can report that in addition to Hepatitis warnings
the most recent F Coli counts for the Black river at Raapenberg Rd are 480,000/100ml. The guidelines for safe recreation use is 1000 F Coli/100 ml.
The final straw came last nite, when we were (yet again) engulfed in a sulphar/methane cloud, eminating from the Black river, which is a sure indication that Athlone Wastewater Treatment plant is discharging sub standard effluent (if not raw effluent) into the Black river.
The City has confirmed that this plant is currently suffering serious technical problems (still!!).
In the absence of any rain between now and Sunday (to dilute the pollution) , I shudder to think what might be floating past my front door as I type this.
Kevin, please ensure that the paddlers this sunday are aware of this risks. I have decided to NOT enter the Black river in its current state as I have not managed to secure anti-nuclear protective gear to paddle in. I am still considering joining the paddlers either in the vlei or in the ocean at Milnerton. The risk here downstream of Athlone WWTW are just to high!
This is a very sad and unacceptable situation, the Black river is Biohazardous (look it up) and the City should note that health warning should be erected on the banks of the river to warn fisherman /informal waders and neigbouring residents (there are some, believe me) of these risks to humans and animals.
I am happy to be a part of the emerging Friends of the Black river group – where we WILL defend our Constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment along with social and environmental dignity!
Lets start a new chapter in the Cape Town river book !
Regards
Sonja