Water pollution of Berg River threatens SA exports to EU

FRUIT, VEGETABLE and wine exports
from South Africa to the EU are in
serious danger unless pollution of
the Berg River in the Western Cape is
brought urgently under control, says
Janine Myburgh, president of the Cape
Regional Chamber.
The quality of produce from Paarl,
Stellenbosch and surrounding areas is
the most affected, she says. A warning
given by the EU two years ago that
the Berg River’s pollution levels were
between five and 24 times the EU’s
maximum permitted concentrations
for food production, could lead to new
trade barriers being imposed as the
situation deteriorates.
Stopping pollutants entering the
water is the only solution, she says.
This will involve cleaning up river
banks, better sanitation facilities being
provided to informal settlements, and
controlling the discharge of effluents
by municipalities, farms, industries and
wineries.
The main problem in the region
is informal settlements, says Rashid
Khan, acting chief director of water
affairs and forestry for the Western
Cape. There is, he says, a massive
backlog in the provision of housing
and basic services. His department is
now taking a hard-line approach to
these issues. Sewage works have and
are being upgraded, while business
and farmers are being called on to
control pesticides, herbicides and other
effluents which end up in the river.
Notice had also been served on
Stellenbosch municipality to control
effluent at its sewage works. Steps
have been taken in conjunction with
the department of water affairs and
forestry to ensure storm water from
informal settlements is channelled to
sewage plants.