The Black River of Cape Town.

We undertook a study of this highly polluted river flowing through the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. 
A newspaper article in The Argus highlighted the unacceptable levels of e-coli bacteria in this water system. The water hyacinth growth is thriving in this river as a direct result of the high level of sewerage water found in the river. The sewerage is leaking into the river from the Athlone sewerage plant. 

The mosquitos are also breeding in this area resulting in infestation even in winter in the homes around this river. The problem is at its worst in summer.

In winter the river needs to be kept clear of water hyacinth because of the danger of flooding the surrounding areas when it rains. If the river is full of water hyacinth it cannot let the water flow away quickly.
Reeds on the river bank also cause problems as the water hyacinth packs up against them.

The methods used to clear this river are manual and mechanical. People have been employed to clear the river, but this is dangerous to their health because of the high e-coli count.

Recently, Miles Giljam of Milestone Environment undertook a study in this river and the two methods used in clearing water hyacinth in the Black river. It was found that people could easily wade in and clear the water hyacinth using grappling rods. They brought it to the edge and then piled it into heaps to dry out before it was removed. 

Miles did a thesis "The Distribution and Potential Resource use for Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in the Greater Cape Town Area." (Giljam, 1999)

He is in favour of using the water hyacinth that is removed as a resource to create compost, paper and other products. We have found the stems to be very strong and agree that it is a very good material for weaving.

At the end of our study we feel it necessary to educate the people that are affected by the water hyacinth as to its possible value to them.

We do not believe that the problem will ever go away, but we do believe that manual clearing and ways of using this product in each area needs to be investigated.

We also believe that it is unacceptable to allow any sewage to flow into this river system. This river should be cleaned and the area should be reclaimed as a recreational area that all Capetonians can use.

The problems of the raw sewage run off from the Jo Slovo informal settlements needs to be addressed as it has huge health implications for us all.

Calling all school groups to join us in a campaign to clean up our rivers.