The Troubled Waters of the Dusi Canoe Marathon’s Msunduzi River
Hey there! I want to talk to you about the Msunduzi River and its connection to the famous Dusi Canoe Marathon. This river is facing some serious issues, and I think it’s crucial that we address them. So, let’s dive in, shall we?
Now, picture this: a beautiful river winding its way through stunning landscapes, with keen canoeists paddling furiously to conquer its waters. That’s the Msunduzi River during the Dusi Canoe Marathon. But lately, things haven’t been so hot for this waterway.
The Msunduzi River is facing numerous challenges that threaten its health and vitality. Pollution has become a critical concern. Picture this: trash floating aimlessly downstream, choking the river’s flow and turning its once-glistening waters into a murky concoction. It’s heartbreaking, isn’t it?
But there’s more. Rapid urbanization, a fancy term for cities sprawling and expanding, has brought with it a surge in development. This newfound growth has come at a cost – deforestation and increased runoff, eroding the river’s banks and destroying valuable habitats for wildlife.
As a result, the delicate balance of the ecosystem has been thrown out of whack. This river is like a living organism, with each plant, fish, and creature playing a vital role in the bigger picture. Yet, as we disrupt their homes, their population dwindles, and the river’s once-thriving environment suffers immensely.
But don’t despair just yet! There’s still hope. The Msunduzi Conservancy, along with other passionate organizations and individuals, is fighting tooth and nail to protect this magnificent river. They’re working tirelessly to raise awareness, advocating for stricter pollution controls, and restoring damaged ecosystems so that the Msunduzi River can thrive once again.
But they can’t do it alone. We all need to step up and take action. Remember, folks: small actions can make a big difference. So let’s start by reducing our reliance on single-use plastics, properly disposing of our waste, and supporting local initiatives that promote conservation and sustainable living.
Together, we can ensure that the Msunduzi River remains a symbol of beauty and resilience. Let’s paddle in the same direction and make a splash for positive change!
I couldn’t believe what Pandora Long was telling me. She spoke with a mix of shock and fear in her voice. Back in August of 2019, disaster struck the Willowton Group factory in Pietermaritzburg. One massive tank, filled with vegetable oil, collapsed and caused another tank, full of caustic soda, to also topple over. This catastrophic event led to the release of a staggering 1.6 million liters of pollution into the Buynespruit. The Buynespruit flows into the Msunduzi River, which in turn feeds into the Umngeni River. This chain of events has resulted in what experts are calling the worst pollution incident to hit the Duzi Canoe Marathon in over three decades.
As I reflect on day three of the 2019 Dusi Marathon, an image comes to mind. It’s a powerful visual, capturing the aftermath of an unfortunate event. A spill occurred, and Pandora, the chair of the Lower Mpushini Valley Conservancy, shared her firsthand account.
After the spill, I can only imagine the shock that rippled through the community. Pandora described a river transformed, a river that once flowed freely and peacefully, now turned a deathly white. But the river’s transformation was not the only concern.
The spill released a substance known as corrosive caustic soda, which combined with palm and sunflower oils to create a soapy substance. This soapy substance impacted the river-dwelling creatures, making it difficult for them to breathe. The river, once filled with life, turned a sickly dirty gray, resembling a thick porridge.
The consequences were devastating. Countless aquatic animals perished, leaving behind a haunting scene of dead fish lining the river banks. But beyond the obvious victims, the smaller creatures that formed the foundation of the food chain suffered as well.
As I reflect on the magnitude of this environmental disaster, I’m reminded that it doesn’t end with the loss of aquatic life. The communities downstream, who depend on the river for their livelihoods, experienced the ripple effects of this tragedy.
Oh boy, mixing caustic soda and innocent vegetable oil is like a recipe for disaster. It’s no joke – the US Environmental Protection Agency treats spills like this just as seriously as petroleum oil spills. And let me tell you, things can get messy.
An expert in contaminated land, Brandon McGugan, didn’t mince words when he said that even though they did what they could to contain the spill and clean up afterwards, it was basically too little, too late. Trying to clean up rivers with flowing water is like trying to catch smoke with your hands – it’s a real challenge.
People have some valid concerns about this whole situation. They’re wondering if the municipality has been doing their job by inspecting and monitoring the area like they’re supposed to. You know, they’re just following the rules. Willowton Group, the ones involved in the spill, claimed they had everything under control back in November. But come on, it’s been a while now – there should be some investigation reports by now and someone needs to take responsibility.
But let me tell you, the effects on the river are going to last a long time. You see, I had the chance to talk to Mark Graham, who is an expert in aquatic science and the director of GroundTruth. He was appointed to investigate the spill, and he told me something really interesting. He said that the pollution actually traveled all the way to Inanda Dam, which is about 60 kilometers away from the spill site. However, the good news is that as the pollution moved farther away, it became more diluted and caused less damage. That’s a relief, right?
Now, here’s where it gets concerning. By the end of October, the first report on the residual impacts of the spill was out. Mark mentioned that some fish had been reintroduced into the river, but the damage to the adult fish was severe. You see, some fish species take a long time – about four to five years – to mature and reproduce. So, this spill has really affected their ability to do that.
And it’s not just the fish that are impacted. There’s this thing called benthic diatoms, which are microscopic algae, and they are a crucial part of the food chain. Well, it turns out that they were also affected by the spill. In fact, the results for these diatoms were similar to what we saw with the aquatic invertebrates and fish.
Well, here we are again, back to square one with the water quality. It’s almost like we’ve come full circle, but there’s no cause for celebration. This poor river has been through so much abuse. Remember the incident in 2016 when there was an oil spill in another part of the river? And even before that, the river was struggling with invasive plants that were literally sucking the life out of it. Just a year before the spill, there was a report saying that the river was the dirtiest it had been in a long time.
The problem doesn’t end there. Leaky and broken sewers are only adding to the mess. The numbers are honestly scary. If the E. coli levels reach 10,000 to 25,000 per 100 milliliters of water, that’s already a pretty high risk. But if it surpasses 50,000, well, that’s a very high risk. And brace yourself for this: in August 2019, the E. coli levels in the Buynespruit measured a mind-blowing 727,000!
Hey there, fellow outdoor enthusiasts! Let me share some eye-opening insights about the state of our beloved rivers. You see, as a seasoned paddler with 20 Dusi races under my belt, I can tell you that Dusi Guts, referring to the unfortunate bout of stomach issues that canoeists often encounter, is nothing new. But here’s the shocking part: E. coli levels have skyrocketed in the past decade! It’s like the river’s health has taken a serious hit.
Now, I recently had a chat with Mark, who mentioned how the spill has compromised the Msunduzi River’s well-being. It’s a tough blow, my friends. The river’s “resilience,” its ability to weather challenges, is waning, much like an over-stressed human. And that’s not even the whole story!
These systemic problems demand long-term attention. But there is a silver lining to the spill. It has brought together conservation organizations, civil society, and industry to make things right for the Buynespruit. It’s a heartening example of collaboration in the face of adversity.
Here’s the thing: the Duzi River, just like the Vaal and other precious rivers in South Africa, is dealing with collapsed sewerage infrastructure. It’s like a crumbling support system, threatening the very lifeblood of these beautiful waterways. We need to enforce the laws that are supposed to protect our rivers, my friends. Otherwise, we might end up with empty rivers devoid of life. And that’s not a future I want for our canoe races – or for any of us, really.
So, what can we do about it?
Well, my dear nature lovers, there’s always something we can do to make a difference. Allow me to suggest a few action steps:
- Stay informed: Keep yourself updated about the state of our rivers and the challenges they face. Knowledge is power, after all.
- Support conservation efforts: Get involved with conservation organizations and lend a helping hand. Every bit counts, believe me.
- Advocate for change: Raise your voice and push for stronger enforcement of the laws that protect our rivers. Together, we can make a real difference.
- Spread the word: Share this crucial information with your friends, family, and fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Awareness is key when it comes to sparking change.
Remember, my friends, these rivers are not just a place for canoe races. They are the lifeblood of our environment, and it’s up to each and every one of us to protect and restore them. Let’s rise to the challenge and ensure our rivers thrive for generations to come. Together, we can make a splash!
If you have some spare time and money, you should consider donating to the Duzi-Umngeni Conservation Trust. They work hard to address issues like alien vegetation, pollution, litter, and ignorance. You can find more information about their work at duct.org.za.
These are some notes from the field, written by Janine Stephen: