KwaDukuza fish kill update: Tests reveal elevated levels of ammonia, higher water temp
Hundreds of fish were found dead at the Umhlali River Mouth two weeks ago. Preliminary test results suggest a combination of factors could have left to the incident including organic pollution, elevated ammonia concentrations and elevated water temperature.
Image: Facebook
The KwaDukuza Municipality has reopened beaches in the vicinity of the Tinley Manor Estuary and uShaka Tidal Pool after recent fish kill incidents.
Dozens of fish were found dead two weeks ago in the area. The municipality said on Friday that environmental officials conducted site inspections, and water samples were collected on February 12 and submitted to an independent SANAS accredited laboratory for analysis.
“The laboratory results indicate that the fish deaths were likely caused by a sudden decline in water quality.”
Testing revealed:
- Elevated levels of organic pollution
- Increased ammonia concentrations, which can be harmful to aquatic life
- Reduced dissolved oxygen levels
- Elevated water temperatures
The municipality said the combination of these factors can place severe stress on marine life and may result in fish mortality. It added that E. coli levels were found to be within acceptable recreational water quality limits at the time of sampling.
“Other government departments are in the process of finalising their own sampling results, which will be shared with the public once received. Further follow up testing, conducted by the municipality on February 17, confirms that there is currently no indication of an immediate public health risk to beachgoers.”
It said due to the results of the recent test all affected beaches are therefore open to the public and the water quality will be monitored closely.
For more stories from The Mercury, click the link THE MERCURY