KNYSNA - E. coli levels in parts of the Knysna Lagoon remain a concern, with monthly water testing highlighting the impact of sewage flowing from nearby settlements into rivers and the lagoon.
Beverley Pothier of the Greater Knysna Business Chamber says testing at specific points around the lagoon shows that the leisure areas have not been significantly affected.
However, higher levels of concern have been identified where rivers flow into the lagoon, carrying pollution from upstream settlements.
READ | Water quality alert lifted in Bezuidenhout Valley after tests
Pothier says active campaigns are under way to tackle the problem at its source, with efforts focused on addressing sewage pollution upstream to prevent further contamination downstream.
“There are E. coli measurements done every month at specific spots around the lagoon," she said
"It's not impacted very much in the leisure portions of the lagoon, but particularly where the rivers do meet the lagoon, we are seeing an inflow coming from various settlements that feed into the river that are then coming through to the lagoon.
“But there are some active campaigns working at ensuring that upstream is sorted so that downstream doesn't land up with the sewage in the lagoon or the E. coli in particular.”
Read more: 'There is no water contamination' - Joburg Water warns against fake reports