GEORGE NEWS - The transformation of the Kat River from an overgrown, polluted river into a crystal-clear mountain stream is making some headway.
A tonne of trash was cleared out of the rivulet by a team of dedicated cleaners.
Working non-stop for 10 days, they gathered a mountain of discarded clothes, plastic and street litter, filling a total of 360 bags. Headed by Petrus Moller under the supervision of Melissa Dalton of the Precious Tree Project and several Ward 18 committee members, the parties declared the intention of carrying on with this exacting project.
The Ward 18 clean-up added to the improved flow of the Kat River into the Garden Route Dam, and so increases much-needed water entering the catchment area. A R50 000 municipal grant was spent on labour for this purpose, under guidance of Cllr Donovan Gultig.
Stop this trashing about
A way of preventing waste pickers from discarding waste into the river on the municipality's waste removal days is being sought. Illegal dumping by other careless Georgians is also taking its toll on the river. Stakeholders are of the opinion that a closure of the Gwaiing landfill site will result in a rapid increase in illegal dumping, too.
No more kariba weed
A much-needed upgrade of the municipal sewer network (adjacent to the Kat river) is currently under way. This will undoubtably improve waterways and environmental health.
It is envisaged that the reduction in pollution will likely eliminate the risk of salina molesta (kariba weed) resprouting during warmer weather.
The project leaders were further heartened by the willingness of the municipal waste water teams to blast out and clear sewer pipes in the less accessible wetland areas.
Collaboration
It is hoped that this will be the first of more collaborative efforts between George Municipality's Civil Engineering Department, environmental groups, ward committees and civil society.
The Kat River Protective Management Plan (Pamp) is being revised by CapeNature and George Municipality's Environmental Management Inspector Lauren Josias.
Encouraging
The shy appearance of a bushbuck family following the clean-up should be ample encouragement for future clean-ups.
An appeal is being made to the owners of properties alongside the Kat River. "Please help us by keeping your section of the river clean. Report illegal dumping, as well as squatting of homeless people."
The Kat River is officially a nature reserve, and it has the potential of forming part of a network of recreational areas by linking it to the Campher's Drift River corridor and the Garden Route Botanical Garden and parkrun areas.
Mayor Jackie von Brandis has been hard at work with an anti-littering campaign - all of which is aimed at turning George into a cleaner, wholesome city, where complex environmental challenges need to be tackled head-on.
A move to introduce a municipal-led river management plan (RMP) should include all rivers in the George district, so that our local rivers are shiny and clean, ready to be enjoyed by tourists and locals alike.
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