In February it was reported that E. coli levels in Knysna’s water were dangerously high. SANParks Knysna manager, Megan Taplin, said in a statement that ‘The unacceptably high levels of E. coli currently in this area make it unsafe for recreational use. No one should collect bait, fish, wade in the water, or swim in this area until the problem has been resolved.’She mentioned the Ashmead Channel and specifically next to Cathy Park, Loerie Park and toward Costa Sarda.
Subsequently, it has been confirmed that effluent leaving the Knysna Water Treatment Works is now compliant according to the town’s Estuary Authorities Pollution Committee.
Since earlier this year, SANParks has led a committee in partnership with the Knysna Municipality, Garden Route District Municipality, the Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agency (BGCMA) and the Knysna Basin Project.
E.coli water samples taken at the Waste Water Treatment plant and its outlet showed a steady decline since a reported incident in February 2019.
Park Manager for Knysna, Megan Taplin says, ‘we are pleased with this progress at the WWTW where E.coli levels are compliant according to the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation standards.’
‘According to South African water quality Guideline for Recreational use, recreational areas must have an E.coli bacteria level lower than the 500 cfu/100ml mark.’
Cfu stands for a colony-forming unit, an estimate of viable bacteria or fungal cells in a single sample. Results are thus reported as CFU/millilitre for liquids. Multiple interventions by partners led to this positive outcome.
The Municipality replaced screens at the WWTW to monitor inflow into the plant. This is important to retain solids that could have caused blockages in the system and further improved its functioning. All clarifiers were also recently restored to operation.
Further upgrades which include civil work are planned for September.
Knysna Municipality in partnership with the District Municipality traced sources of ‘new pollutants’ such as oil/grease, solvents and dyes into the WWTW. Oil and grease samples are now being taken at different times of the day at the WWTW in order to try to pinpoint the businesses that might be contributing to pollution loads.
The municipality introduced an oil-eating enzyme as well as loads of beneficial bacteria to relieve the system. While oil and grease disposed into the system was the cause of the February contamination of the WWTW and this still has an influence at times, there are also other pollutants that play a role.
The committee partners are conducting a pilot survey of the Industrial Area to gain a better understanding of potentially harmful substances which are being discharged into stormwater which may affect the health of the estuary.
Of the 30 different sites sampled by the Municipality and the District Municipality since 2009, the number of times the Bongani stream was non-compliant was 83%, while the Ashmead channel was non-complaint 55% of the sample time.
Valuable information is being provided by the Knysna Basin Project which is conducting an ongoing survey into the Bongani and Bigai catchments feeding into the Knysna estuary. Water samples conducted are tested for E.coli, ammonia, phosphates and nitrates, high levels of which can negatively influence estuary health.
This information will assist in determining problems with pollution arising higher up in the catchment.
Partners are working at various solutions including a rehabilitation project in the Bongani catchment with the Municipality. A digital survey is set to commence shortly to boost an educational drive to get residents to work with the Municipality on reducing pollution of the estuary.
Image source: Getaway Magazine
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