World Water Day spurs South Peninsula residents to tackle toxic water issue head-on
Spurred on by rapid urbanisation and climate change, water is set to be the world’s next major resource crisis – an issue World Water Day is drawing attention to on 22 March, 2011. With its theme of Water for cities: responding to the urban challenge it hopes to incite governments, businesses, communities and individuals to engage and address this growing issue and is something a group of passionate South Peninsula residents have taken significant heed of.
Motivated by a legacy of water issues that affect the Kommetjie, Ocean View, Capri and Noordhoek communities, the group aims to raise awareness about persistently high toxicity levels in Wildevoelvlei among the public at an event at Blue River Café, Imhoff’s Gift on 26 March.
Liesel James, Little Green Fingers founder and environmental activist says, “The concerns about Wildevoelvlei’s toxicity levels aren’t new. In fact, a warning was issued by the City of Cape Town in December 2010 advising public to stay away from affected areas, including Noordhoek beach. However, the issue still persists and we want to pin-point its cause as well as discuss sustainable solutions as Wildevoelvlei used to be a pristine estuary but has degraded over the last two decades.”
It is alleged that the culprit is the effluent released from the Wildevoelvlei Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) into Wildevoelvlei – after it has been treated. James say, “While we are aware that the water quality of WWTW complies with Water Affairs license conditions, phosphorus levels in the final effluent are still high. We believe it is this that is causing the toxicity levels.”
Once the treated water is released into Wildevoelvlei – which joins up with the ocean – it has the potential of causing blue-green scrum or cyanobacteria – a sometimes toxic algae – to bloom on the vlei’s surface, killing fish and crabs. When humans come into contact with it, they may experience severe allergies, diarrhoea, vomiting, muscle pains and fever. Long term drinking may even cause liver disease.
And while the likely solution is to reduce phosphates in the water, James explains that although an upgrade of the Treatment Works was conducted a few years ago, it didn’t include phosphate reduction. “We understand that phosphate stripping is part of WWTW’s long-term planning but it involves significant capital outlay plus ongoing annual operating costs.”
In the meantime, James is investigating alternative solutions such as a bio-digester. It creates methane gas from sewage which can then be used to generate energy. She says, “The energy created from the bio-digester can help disadvantaged communities like Masiphumulele become less dependent on the national grid. This will spare resources and is the most environmentally sustainable option.”
The bio-digester will be among talk topics given to the public on the day. Others include a review of the current water situation (Kevin James: Global Carbon Exchange) and a comprehensive history of the area (Wally Peterson: Founder of KEAG). A community clean-up of Kommetjie Beach will conclude the event.
“Clean water is a right; not a privilege. As such we urge the community to participate in this event to not only educate themselves about water, and how to save it, but also to help develop solutions to overcome this ongoing issue that puts our children, pets and environment at risk,” concludes James.
Kids’ edu-entertainment will be performed by ToadNUTS, an environmental group that protects the declining number of Western leopard toads in the area, while Ocean View’s Marine Primary Environmental Group will perform the ‘Water Song’.
The event starts at 9am. A full programme is available on www.littlegreenfingers.ning.com. For more information call 875.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of:
Liesel James: Founder of Little Green Fingers
Cell: 875
Email:
Website: www. Littlegreenfingers.ning.com
Issued by:
Rebecca Cronje
Cell:
Email:
2 Comment
KimK, March 31, 2011 at 6:10 pm
You can view this petition at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/water-quality-in-south-peninsula—firm-official-commitment-needed-to-prevent-further-water-quality/
Hi, I signed the petition “FIRM OFFICIAL COMMITMENT NEEDED TO PREVENT FURTHER WATER QUALITY DETERIORATION IN WILDEVOELVLEI. I’m asking you to sign this petition to help us reach our goal of 1,000 signatures.I am deeply concerned about this cause, and I hope you will support our efforts.
ReplyKim, March 18, 2011 at 2:16 pm
INVITATION
All members of the Scenic South!
Unite with us on 26 March at 9 am to learn about the water situation in our country and focus our attention on a local issue Cyanophyceae – Blue Green Algae – in Wilde Voel Vlei next to Imhoffs Gift, South Peninsula.
When present in high concentrations, the algae form blooms giving the water a pea-soup appearance. In very high concentrations the blooms float and form a thick, blue green sediment. Sometimes this becomes toxic which is then harmful to humans and animals, a phenomenon that currently prevails at Wilde Voel Vlei.
Not all blue green algae is toxic all the time but the high concentration of phosphates promotes the growth of these so-called “Blue-green algae” and can lead to toxicity. Blue green algae are natural inhabitants of inland water bodies including dams, rivers and canals but can also be a by-product of standard effluent treatment processes however not enough scientific evidence exists to understand exactly the source of this local problem. This is what is currently under investigation and once the scientific evidence is confirmed, then appropriate solutions will be sought.
Everybody needs to take responsibility for their surrounds. While Water Waste Treatment Works will continue to take responsibility to ensure that their infrastructure is being maintained up to acceptable standards, it is the responsibility of each and every one of us to ensure best practice in our home by ensuring for example that no phosphates from washing powder and nitrates from fertilizers find their way into the system.
PROGRAM
Welcome: Liesel James founder of Little Green Fingers Environmental Awareness Group
Current Water Situation in South Africa: Kevin James Global Carbon Exchange
Comprehensive history and current issue of Wilde Voel Vlei: Wally Peterson from KEAG (Kommetjie Environmental Awareness Group)
Water Quality, Possibilities and Responsibilities
Questions and answers:
Activity for the kids – ToadNUTS
Water song – Marine Primary Environmental Group
Thank you’s Liesel James – Little Green Fingers
WHERE:
Blue Water Cafe, Imhoffs Gift Farm Village, Kommetjie Road, Kommetjie
TIME:
9 am – 11 am
Message from Little Green Fingers Environmental Awareness Group!
Observe your local environment and look at your resources and how you can improve them. Integrate and form new communities, ideally with local government. Approach your local council and assist on finding and implementing solutions. We have no time to waste.
Everybody involved with this campaign are local residents who have been offering their skills in which ever capacity they can, to find a solution for this problem. This includes Environmental Specialists, Environmental Groups, Public Relations Officer, Media, Project Managers and passionate women, men and children.
The Power of Community is the future for positive change!
Come on South Africa, together we can do it!
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