Volunteers give Elsieskraal River Green Belt a #SpringClean
04 October 2024
The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate recently collaborated with ASEZ WAO (World Mission Society Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group), who stepped forward to assist in cleaning sections of the Elsieskraal River Green Belt at Elizabeth Park, Bellville. The Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP) also joined the effort, which resulted in 80 bags of solid waste and 20 buckets of organic waste being removed from the river.
Keeping urban waterways like the Elsieskraal River clear of pollution is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems, supporting biodiversity and enhancing the quality of life for communities. Pollutants such as plastic waste, chemicals, and other debris can have detrimental effects on aquatic life and pose health risks to residents who use these areas for recreation.
The Elsieskraal River flows through several urban areas, including Bellville and Parow. It forms part of a vital green corridor linking Jack Muller Park to Elizabeth Park.
By keeping this waterway clean, it makes the public space safer and more attractive for vibrant community use and appreciation for the outdoors.
'As a key stakeholder in the northern region, the Greater Tygerberg Partnership is honoured to support Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis's Spring Clean campaign alongside Councillor Badroodien.
'Cape Town's waterways require ongoing care, and these community-driven initiatives play a crucial role in both cleaning and maintaining vital ecosystems for everyone's benefit,' said Warren Hewitt, CEO of the Greater Tygerberg Partnership.
'Our drive as part of the #SpringCleanCT campaign, is to encourage residents to start their own clean-up efforts or to join a group, which is proactively fostering a sense of environmental responsibility. We want to get rid of pollution and illegal dumping at source, starting by raising awareness through interactive initiatives.
'Asez Youth Group and the GTP answered this call, mobilising an inspiring 100 volunteers who worked together and cleared the park and riverbanks,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
The City's Water and Sanitation Directorate will continue with maintenance throughout the year, cleaning the Elsieskraal River and its tributaries in sections, as well as the canal, pond and dam by vegetation/silt removal and dredging.
The impact of urbanisation and water quality
Rapid population growth often leads to urban sprawl, which can degrade water quality.
Urbanisation stresses the environment when there are changes in land use, excessive water extraction, increased developments and additional waste disposal. It can also lead to vegetation clearing by converting wetlands and open spaces into more impervious surfaces like roads and buildings.
When untreated sewage and polluted runoff end up in rivers and lakes, these waterbodies become unfit for recreational use. Pollution from litter and sewage also contaminates groundwater.
Behavioural causes such as illegal dumping and misuse of sewage infrastructure, as well as land use changes, are a major contributing factor to declining river water quality, especially in older, established residential areas.
About the Elsieskraal River
The Elsieskraal River is part of the Salt River Catchment, which also includes the Vygekraal, Black, and Liesbeek Rivers.
It mainly consists of built stormwater infrastructure, with some natural, unlined sections found in the upper reaches and minor tributaries. This infrastructure includes open and covered canals, as well as erosion protection measures like gabions.
Most of these built components are located downstream of the N1, where they meet the Vygekraal River, with some unlined sections found in urban parks in Bellville.
For more information about the #SpringCleanCT campaign and how you can get involved, visit capetown.gov.za/Campaigns/join the springcleanct campaign
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
