Oh Pooh, what can we do?
Reporter Avuyile Mngxitama-Diko wrote that the municipality ignores ongoing stinking messes caused by sewage around town (Grocott’s Mail, 15 April).
Oh Pooh, what can we do?
Reporter Avuyile Mngxitama-Diko wrote that the municipality ignores ongoing stinking messes caused by sewage around town (Grocott’s Mail, 15 April).
While the Belmont Valley Waste Water Treatment Works is well managed, poorly maintained infrastructure has led to widespread chronic leak ‘hotspots’ throughout Grahamstown which present a threat to environmental and human health.
Smelly sewage leaks are a source of air pollution (including greenhouse gases like methane, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide), and encourage the spread of pests such as mosquitoes and diseases like cholera.
The high-nutrient load depletes dissolved oxygen in river systems, which has a negative impact on the catchment ecosystem.
The Kowie Catchment Campaign and the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism have been monitoring and reporting on sewage hotspots for many years and continue to urge Makana municipality to take appropriate action.
More info at
Enviro programmes can save SA’s future
The Department of Environmental Affairs Deputy Director-General for Environmental Programmes Dr Guy Preston spoke to a packed audience at Rhodes University about Environmental Programmes recently – a R16 billion investment (and counting) in ecosystem services.
He outlined key environmental programmes that are addressing South Africa’s greatest risks: water security, food security, energy security and health pandemics.
Working for Wetlands, established in 2004 to rehabilitate wetlands, has created close to 13 000 work opportunities, Preston said.
Wetlands are often referred to as ‘kidneys’ of our catchments because they filter out pollutants and improve water quality.
They also prevent flood damage by holding silt and slowing down water flow, and replenish groundwater.
Working on Fire, launched in 2003, has created work opportunities for many thousands of fire fighters. They are trained to deal with wildfires, Preston explained, which pose a risk to lives, income and environment.
Working for Water – the prototype environmental programme – was established in 1995, and has created close to 400 000 work opportunities.
The programme tackles invasive alien weeds which guzzle our water resources, reduce biodiversity, increase runaway fires and soil erosion and undermine land productivity.
Preston also spoke about several other programmes and emphasised that unless SA takes active steps to address poverty, a Green economy will remain a pipe dream.
He concluded with a serious reality check: it will be impossible to address water, food and energy security or health pandemics in the face of ongoing population growth.
More info at
There’s an interesting selection of environmental events happening during RU Environmental Week, which started on Saturday.
From the Allen Webb Earth Hour on Saturday night to a movie screening about the ugly side of the USA food industry yesterday, all are welcome to the rest of the week's events.
• Tue 23 April: 'RU Sustainable? Renewable Energy Solutions' talk by Jef De Schutter, Belgian renewable energy specialist. RU Barratt 3, 7pm.
• Wed 24 April: 'Perspectives of an environmental scientist' (inaugural lecture) by Prof Fred Ellery. RU Eden Grove Blue, 6.30pm.
• Thu 25 April: 'Green Capitalism Debate'. RU Debating Society. RU Botany Major, 6.30pm.
• Fri 26 April: SRC tree-planting ceremony. Kaif Lawns, 1pm.
• Fri 26 April:
• Sat 27 April: RU Green Tour – bus tour to Grahamstown's green hotspots. Stop for lunch (provided). Start 11am, return 2pm. Booking essential: Ruth 076 295 8045 or
For more info contact Luke at
Contacts for Makana Enviro-News: Nikki Köhly: n.kohly@ru.ac.za, 046 603 7205 | Nick Hamer: n.hamer@ru.ac.za, 084 722 3458 | Jenny Gon: j-gon@intekom.co.za, 046 622 5822 | Nick James: nickjames@intekom.co.za, 082 575 9781 | Strato Copteros strato@iafrica.com, 082 785 6403 | Philip Machanick p.machanick@ru.ac.za, 046 603 8635
