Microbiologists uncovered an extensive fungal biomass in a section of the Klipdrift River.
Seven seasoned microbiologists consulted through the initial assessment, had never seen it before.
Samples were then sent to a lab in Stellenbosch for a detailed water quality assessment.
The substance is similar to a grey feather-like fungal growth commonly seen in sewage polluted water.
Francois Kotze, Head of Environmental Management at the Overberg District Municipality, suspects pollution is increased by development pressure.
“We need a way forward to suit municipality resources and financial ability. You need to be able to implement the plan, if not, you’re chasing your tail” he said at a recently held event organised by the Kogelberg Biosphere at Fruitways.
Citizen scientists have now organised themselves, alongside UNESCO-supported Grabouw River Guardians citizen science project and various organisations.
The 50 citizens come from across Grabouw, with a shared concern to tackle waste and pollution affecting the town and its waterways.
They have thus far, mapped 59 illegal dumpsites and are monitoring litter, water quality and river health across the Grabouw River catchment.
Discussions at the event were informed by evidence gathered on the ground through the UNESCO-supported Grabouw River Guardians citizen science project.
Shelly Fuller, Researcher at the Freshwater Research Centre, said the first assessments are already showing notable differences between sites, since the last meeting held in July.
“Upstream sections of the Klipdrift River show a diversity of aquatic life, while further downstream, near the Klipdrift bridge, the picture changes significantly. We need to understand what this is and where it’s coming from to prevent it from happening again. And we need to understand the pressures our rivers are under, in order to come up with solutions.”
Stakeholder organisations such as the Groenland Water Users Association, Blue Deal and BOCMA, will take monthly river health assessments and quarterly laboratory water testing.
Ayanda Witbooi, local tour guide, says the impacts are already visible in the community.
Picture: Supplied
Information: Kogelberg Nature Reserve