Conserve our rivers and wetlands
Healthy rivers and wetlands are home to an incredible variety of plants and animals. Our rivers and wetlands also play a vital role in providing us with water. Unfortunately rivers and wetlands – and their creatures – are often the first to be affected as cities grow. Together we can learn about and look after these highly sensitive natural systems.
The importance of rivers and wetlands
Water equals life. With only a small percentage of the water on the planet being drinkable and accessible, it is vital to protect what we have.
Cape Town’s rivers and wetlands:
- are a home for
many plants and animals;
- supply and carry water for drinking, washing, crops, livestock and industry;
- improve the quality of water through natural plant filters;
- create green jobs;
- help to rebalance and rejuvenate surrounding ecosystems;
- help to control floods;
- make our urban environment beautiful; and
- offer recreational spaces and a connection to nature.
Fast fact
Our economy depends on a continual supply of good, clean water. Wetlands are like giant sponges – they retain water during floods and release it during dry periods. This is crucial in a dry country like South Africa.
The importance of estuaries
An estuary is where a river meets the ocean. Estuaries are home to unique plants and creatures that have adapted to the mixed waters. Young marine fish enter estuaries so they can grow and mature in relative safety before returning to the sea. Many bird species also depend on estuaries at different stages in their lives. It is important to manage water flow and silt build-up so that our estuaries keep working.
Threats to rivers and wetlands
Urban development is one of the biggest threats to our rivers and wetlands. It leads to the following:
- Pollution – this is toxic to humans, plants and animals
- Thinning of rivers – this changes the natural habitats of river creatures and can affect river flow
- Invasion by alien vegetation and alien fish – this leads to loss of indigenous plants and animals
- Stress on water supply
Remember
Don't pollute! Polluted water damages ecosystems, causes the death of animals and plant life, stops our economy from growing, carries water-borne diseases and contaminates our drinking water.
Saving the Western Leopard Toad
The Western Leopard Toad, which can only be found in our coastal region from the Cape Flats to the Agulhas Plain, is in danger of extinction. Many toads die crossing busy roads on their annual migration to wetlands, vleis and rivers to breed.
You can play an important part in protecting these toads:
- If you are driving or a passenger, be on the lookout for toads during breeding season (usually in spring).
- If you have a garden, make sure it is ‘toad friendly’ by growing indigenous plants, avoiding pesticides, and creating ‘escape routes’ from your pool or garden wall.
- You can volunteer to
help the toads by monitoring roads during breeding season and making sure they move safely to breeding sites.
To learn more about the Western Leopard Toad – and how you can help to protect it – see our
Western Leopard Toad Pamphlet.
For more information, visit
The Endangered Western Leopard Toad website or email
leopard.toad@capetown.gov.za.
How the City protects rivers and wetlands
Along with our conservation partners, we try to meet the needs of our people and economy and the needs of our water sources and water areas. We do this through
policy management and education. We work hard to make sure people don’t build in high flood-risk areas or that buildings don’t destroy natural life in these precious ecosystems.
Help protect our rivers and wetlands
Here are some more ways you can get involved and reduce your impact on our rivers and wetlands:
- Participate in environmental programmes that help protect rivers and restore wetlands, such as the
Source to Sea Project which works to restore river corridors.
-
Get involved with a ‘Friends’ group – these volunteers work together with conservation authorities to preserve an area they care about.
- Take part in our
regular river cleaning projects.
- Manage your waste properly so that pollutants don’t end up in your nearest river or wetland. Sources of pollution from your home or business could include fertilisers, paddocks, pools, car-washing soaps, pet waste, car oils and paint products.
- Pick up all litter and dispose in appropriate trash containers. Keep surface areas that wash into storm drains clean of pet faeces, toxic chemicals, fertilisers, and motor oil – these eventually reach and damage our water sources
- Use non-toxic products for household cleaning, lawn and garden care.
- Reduce, reuse and recycle household items and waste.
- Plant only indigenous species of trees, shrubs, and flowers to preserve the ecological balance of local wetlands.
Fast fact
Stormwater – high volumes of surface water, usually from heavy rains – is one of the main transporters of contaminants to rivers, wetlands and coastal areas. See how we
manage our stormwater system.
Remember
To report illegal activity like dumping or clearing of rivers or wetlands call
0860 103 089.
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