Update
GEORGE NEWS - A group of residents of Wilderness have decided to do their own water testing at a few different spots in the Touw River to try and determine the source of its frequent pollution.
Residents say they have had a constant battle over decades with sewage flowing into the river. "We have had fish die off from poor management of the river mouth," said Nuno Canha, one of the residents, on Monday 17 January.
"Now we have been hit since just before the holiday season with e-coli in the river which initially was due to another sewerage pump failure. Even though this problem was fixed, we now get daily messages of it not being safe to enter the water, but no one knows the source of the problem."
The group has decided to do its own water testing in a few different places from the mouth up.
Canha said for the residents, the mayor's article about Wilderness' Blue Flag status could not have come at a worse time.
"How can we have blue flag beaches where the river is constantly pumping pollutants and bacteria right onto the said beach? We will also be engaging the organisation that awards the Blue Flag status to make them aware of the constant problems we face at the Touw River and Wilderness beaches."
Business
Chris Leggat, owner of Eden Adventures, said the situation in December had a huge effect on his business, and this came on the back of blows they've suffered due to Covid-19. In 2020, tourist numbers were far lower than usual, and in January 2021 the national government also closed rivers for three weeks, preventing any water activities from taking place.
A day before Christmas 2021, the Touw River was closed by the George Municipality because of a sewage spill caused by mechanical failure of a pump. This meant that, in the height of season, the river could not be used for any form of recreation.
Since then it has ridden a see-saw of open and closed, based on daily tests done by the municipality. Leggat thought it wasn't necessary to close the river for all activities. It also impacted staff because they couldn't work every day. He would like the problem to be solved. "I had a very expensive season," he said.
George Municipality reacts:
"George Municipality has completed an initial investigation and report which requires further analysis and an action plan to be drawn up.
"The matter is receiving our urgent attention and information will be provided to the public once we have finality on the processes to be implemented going forward. Can you please allow us another 10 days to finalise. The area that has to be covered is extensive.
"For noting: Testing of the Touw River continues to be undertaken once a day at Ebb and Flow, the river mouth and the lagoon and the municipality issues an advisory / public notice as soon as results are received. This will continue until we have clarity on the source and solution. This public notice is issued to the local media, and posted to our social media channels including our website within an hour of issue."
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