Pathogenic pollution of the Baynespruit.

Abstract

The status of the Baynespruit bacteriological water quality is very alarming - E-coli concentrations have far exceeded the allowable limit of both local and international guidelines for more than a decade, namely 2000-2010. Concentrations of indicator bacteria have been recorded as high as 2419000 cfu/100 ml, whereas guideline levels of E-coli for recreational contact are about 130 cfu/100 ml. In this study, statistical analyses were carried out on data from two sampling points to clarify the seasonal changes and the variability of the pollution. Cross-correlation analyses showed that there was no significant correlation between E-coli concentrations and rainfall in the uMsunduzi catchment. There was also only a weak correlation between the two sampling points which suggests the existence of unregulated sources of pathogenic water pollution between the sampling locations that are independent of the effect that rainfall has on dilution and dispersion of pollution. The data indicates that the population living along the Baynespruit has about a 2% risk of contracting gastrointestinal illness as a result of the pollution in the stream.