Joburg’s dirtiest river may lose its only champion

The Klipriviersberg Sustainability Association (KlipSA) faces an uncertain future as it may be forced to close by early next year, according to its chairperson Andrew Barker. KlipSA, a non-profit organisation established 17 years ago, aims to protect, promote and enhance the value of natural assets in southern Johannesburg, including the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve.

In 2018, KlipSA launched the Klip River Water Stewardship Initiative (KlipWaS) to focus on improving water quality and flow in the Klip River catchment. However, the organisation has struggled to find new and younger members, making succession planning difficult and potentially leading to its closure. The Klip River, which flows into the Vaal Barrage and supplies Johannesburg, is one of the city's most polluted rivers, running through densely populated areas like Soweto.

Collaborations with the University of Johannesburg's Process, Energy and Environmental Technology Station (UJ PEETS) have provided scientific data confirming the Klip River's poor water quality. Should KlipSA close, several initiatives, such as constructing a wetland to treat contaminated stormwater and promoting water stewardship in local schools, will be halted.

KlipSA has been working on an integrated catchment and urban management plan for southern Johannesburg, Soweto, and the city centre, but this may not materialise. The organisation stresses that Johannesburg's rivers are primarily the responsibility of the municipality, citing the chronic operational instability and high non-revenue water losses of Johannesburg Water.

The city's ongoing water infrastructure crisis further compounds the deterioration of local river, stream, and wetland systems. Despite these challenges, there is still a chance for a new champion to emerge and take KlipSA/KlipWaS forward, as the value of such organisations in facilitating community and corporate partnerships cannot be underestimated.