“There needs to be more enforcement of environmental laws in Makana – especially with regard to sewage leaks and urban run-off entering catchments and the river system,” says Nikki Köhly.
“There needs to be more enforcement of environmental laws in Makana – especially with regard to sewage leaks and urban run-off entering catchments and the river system,” says Nikki Köhly.
Köhly is Chairperson of Kowie Catchment Campaign (KCC), a group dedicated to protecting the health of the Kowie River catchment area that supplies water to Belmont Valley farmers and drinking water to Bathurst and Port Alfred. She warns that most catchments in Grahamstown are full of pollutants from farms, litter and sewage.
Köhly spoke to Grocott’s Mail in between Rhodes Water Week events which took place at the university from 26-30 August. Aiming to create awareness about the water situation in Grahamstown, the week highlighted water-related research and projects on the go at Rhodes.
One item on display was PhD student Catherine Luyt’s kit for testing water contamination. Using a Hydrogen Sulphide strip that costs the pharmacy department R5 to make, the strip can detect contaminants such as faecal bacteria and can be used at home, in schools and at the workplace, Luyt said.
The week’s theme was ‘Trans-disciplinarity in South Africa’s water sector’, referring to a research method that sees many scientific disciplines join forces to solve the common water problems of health and safety, accessibility, availability and reliability.
Louise Bryson, a Masters student at the Institute for Water Research (IWR), a co-organiser of Rhodes Water Week, said next week is International Water Week. Complementing the worldwide theme of ‘Co-operation in the Water Sector’, Rhodes decided to have its own South African version. "We wanted to display all the different departments and what water-related research they are conducting. It is a platform for departments to talk to the public and with each other," Bryson said.
Modern technology also plays an increasingly important role in water services, especially during emergencies. Recognising this, the Rhodes computer science department and Makana Municipality have devised MobiSAM, a service accountability monitor.
MobiSAM enables Makana citizens to report water-related issues to the municipality, which can then update the general public on water supply disruptions. “Registration [for MobiSAM]is still low especially with people in the township,” said co-ordinator Thozi Ngeju. But he said the municipality has plans for wider promotion.
