Question NW2369 to the Minister of Water and Sanitation
21 July 2015 - NW2369
Baker, Ms TE to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)With regard to the heavily polluted Olifants River in Mpumalanga, what impact is such pollution having on the wildlife in the Kruger National Park, particularly the aquatic animals living in and dependent on the specified river;
Reply:
- According to the assessment of the condition of aquatic animals, there is a negative impact especially on the fish which is used as an indicator for monitoring of river health.
- Yes, the Department is continuously taking action by conducting Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement of water users upstream of the Kruger National Park.
- No, there is no specific or single company that can be attributed to the impact on aquatic ecosystems as they are also impacted by natural disasters such as the recent floods in the lower Olifants, which caused damage to habitats of the aquatic animals.
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