A coalition of civil society organisations has sounded the alarm over the dire state of Durban’s Umbilo River. A 22-day investigation led by WaterCAN, Adopt-a-River, and Save Our Rivers and Sea from Sewage (SORS-FS) has uncovered extreme levels of pollution, including raw sewage leaks, industrial dumping, and dangerously high levels of E. coli bacteria.
“This river is a lifeline for many – yet in its current state, it poses not only a health risk to communities and an environmental threat to the wildlife that depends on it, but also an economic risk to those who live and work along its banks,” said Azile Mpukwana, Umbilo River Project Manager.
The Umbilo River winds through several Durban suburbs, passing housing estates, conference venues, accommodation establishments, schools, and the Paradise Valley Nature Reserve, before discharging into the Port of Durban near popular recreational water facilities.
The citizen-led investigation used WaterCAN testing kits and a web-based app to track pollution along an 11.8km stretch of the river, beginning upstream of the defunct Umbilo Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) and extending towards Westmead, Pinetown, just short of the river’s source.
Test results confirmed E. coli levels far exceeding safe limits, with strong indications of chemical pollution likely originating from nearby industrial activity. Other findings included damaged municipal infrastructure, illegal dumping, blocked river flow, erosion, and silt build-up – creating hazardous conditions for people and wildlife.
“We’re calling on the eThekwini Municipality to take urgent action: fix the infrastructure, enforce the law against polluters, and work with communities to restore our rivers,” said Jonathan Erasmus, WaterCAN’s KZN Manager.
This latest investigation builds on a 2023 WaterCAN study conducted downstream of the Umbilo WWTW, which revealed alarming E. coli levels due to the plant’s poor condition. That data has been handed to the Green Scorpions, the enforcement arm of the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA).
Mpukwana said the latest focus on the upper stretch of the river was intentional.
“We believe the section above the WWTW is still redeemable,” she said. “While rivers across Durban are in a poor state, we believe that through collaboration, this stretch of the Umbilo can be rehabilitated.”
The organisations have outlined several urgent interventions:
- Immediate repair of sewerage infrastructure.
- Weekly citizen-led and monthly laboratory-based water testing.
- A transparent and functional municipal reporting system.
- Corporate accountability and environmental law enforcement.
- Community mobilisation through training and support.
Janet Simpkins, Director of Adopt-a-River, said the initiative emphasizes the need for alignment between municipalities and environmental organisations.
“There’s a strong need for municipalities to work alongside civil society to restore our rivers. If we don’t work together, nothing will change,” said Simpkins.
WaterCAN is a growing network of citizen science activists. Adopt-a-River and SORS-FS are long-standing advocates for clean water and river conservation.
You can read the report here.
Media Contact:
Azile Mpukwana – Umbilo River Project Manager 0672821503
Jonathan Erasmus – WaterCAN KZN Manager 0732276075
