Presented by Andre Daniels

1
Protecting the Kuils River and the supporting
wetland system

• Presented by Andre Daniels
• to Sub-Council 22
• 19 August 2008

2
agenda

• Problem Statement
• Objective
• Location
• Importance
• Sources of Pollution
• Risks
• Legislation protecting rivers and wetlands
• Progress
• Suggested Resolution
• Conclusion

visit www.savethewetlands.org.za for more
information
3
problem statement

• The Kuils River and supporting wetland system,
  a natural river, flood plain and marshland, have
  high pollution levels and invasive growth, that
  threaten the existence of the river, the wetland
  system and the health and well-being of the
  surrounding communities and the greater Cape Town

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information
4
objective

• To
• Immediate
• Urge for submissions to Working for Wetlands
• Short/Long term
• Have ward budget allocation include Kuils River
  wetland
• Long term
• Implement a sustainable rehabilitation plan with
  all partners

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information
5
location
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information
6
importance

• Restoring chemical imbalances in the river water
  quality.
• The World Conservation Union (IUCN) identified
  wetlands as the third most important life support
  system on earth.
• Directly or indirectly, we all derive enormous
  benefits from wetlands - water provision, flood
  attenuation, green spaces for people and
  wildlife.

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information
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importance

• the underground water levels on the Cape
  Flats are rising noticeably. Early on in the
  rainy season, this water breaks the surface and
  rises above ground level to form a natural lake.
  This year, we had 93 mm of rain in four days
  more than the annual average rainfall of 83 mm
  for the whole of July. Rain of this intensity
  turns much of the Cape Flats into marshy
  wetlands, their natural winter condition

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information
8
sources of pollution

• Point sources
• Treated municipal effluent from Bellville,
  Zandvliet and Macassar Waste Water Treatment
  Works
• pollutants from the Bottelery river as a result
  of Scotsdene WWTW and industrial activities
• Non-point sources
• Farming activities

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information
9
risks

• Contracting sickness due to pollution levels
• Safety
• Accidental drowning last incident Feb 2008
• Crime Spot
• Erosion of river wall
• The future
• Will my children ever be able to enjoy this river
  and wetland?

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information
10
legislation protecting wetlands
Management and conservation of biodiversity
NEMBA
DEAT
Kuils River wetland
CARA
DWAF
Working for Wetlands
Ensures control measures on the utilisation and
protection of water bodies, especially those
likely to be affected by farming
Protect aquatic and associated ecosystems and
reduce pollution of water resources
NWA
DoA
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information
11
progress

• Problem not with legislation but with
  implementation
• Kuils River, 1980s to present
• Canalization of river in certain areas
• Delft clearing of alien invasive species WforW
• 2006/7 Fo Kuils River raised issue of R300 poles
• 2008 Issue presented to Working for Wetlands
• Too little budget
• On rehabilitation plans but no work completed
• National
• Working for Wetlands, CoCT, Parliament
• South African National Wetlands Inventory

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information
12
Suggested resolution
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information
13
suggested resolution
visit www.savethewetlands.org.za for more
information
14
conclusion
Point 24 of the constitution of South Africa
reads Everyone has the right (a) To an
environment that is not harmful to their health
or well-being and (b) To have the environment
protected, for the benefit of present and future
generations, through reasonable legislative and
other measures that i. prevent pollution and
ecological degradation ii. Promote conservation
and iii. Secure ecologically sustainable
development and use of natural resources while
promoting justifiable economic and social
development
visit www.savethewetlands.org.za for more
information