KNYSNA Municipality has taken decisive steps after a recent pollution incident in its renowned estuary, when samples taken on June 4 revealed raised levels of pollution.
“We are pleased that our actions have already delivered positive results,” said municipal manager Lauren Waring, “and look forward to another successful Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival.
“A contractor was employed to clean the culverts where the highest readings were taken. These are being cleaned on a weekly basis until at least the middle of July. We also reinstated a slow-release chlorination process in these areas.”
Waring said that various factors contributed to this unexpected challenge. “The readings were taken one day after our region endured a day-long Eskom power outage. Rainfall during the weekend washed unwanted material into the stormwater system, and a blockage due to the misuse of a fat-trap in town caused one of our sewer lines to malfunction.
“We will soon be rolling out an extensive public awareness campaign on the proper use of commercial fat-traps, as well as the consequences establishments will face if found to misuse these systems,” she said.
“In the meantime, we are excited to welcome our visitors to the upcoming festival and look forward to sharing this fantastic event with them.”
Visit www.oysterfestival.co.za for further details.
