River clean-ups alone won’t fix South Africa's water crisis, says Deputy Minister Jack Bloom

Deputy Water and Sanitation Minister Jack Bloom warned that river clean-ups alone cannot resolve South Africa’s worsening water crisis during the launch of the 2026 Clear Rivers Campaign. Speaking at the event along Pretoria’s Apies River, Bloom emphasized that while community efforts to remove trash were valuable, they would fail to address the deeper issues causing pollution. The campaign, aimed at encouraging public involvement in preserving rivers, highlighted the urgent need for systemic changes to prevent further degradation. The Apies River, which runs through the heart of Pretoria, serves as a stark example of the nation’s water woes. Bloom described the river as highly toxic, with water unfit for consumption and unsafe for swimming. Tests revealed the presence of harmful bacteria, leeches, bloodworms, and fly infestations, alongside chemical and microbial contamination. The river’s condition has worsened significantly over the past two decades, despite earlier declarations of a disaster zone due to raw sewage from the Rooiwal wastewater treatment plant. Despite these warnings, pollution persists, largely due to ongoing illegal dumping and industrial discharges from areas such as the Pretoria CBD and Pretoria West. Bloom pointed to the broader context of the country’s water infrastructure challenges. According to the 2025 Green Drop Report, nearly half of South Africa’s 848 municipal wastewater treatment plants—396 in total, are in critical condition. Only 8% of these facilities achieved a good or excellent rating, a sharp decline from 14% in the prior assessment. This highlights a nationwide failure to maintain essential water systems, contributing to widespread pollution and public health risks. As part of his role, Bloom announced plans to investigate 96 criminal cases related to sewage pollution across 53 water services authorities. He also outlined his intention to create a National Polluters Register, a tool designed to hold individuals and entities responsible for contaminating water resources. “We need to be honest that these clean-ups are tackling the symptom, not the cause,” he stated, stressing the necessity of stricter enforcement against polluters. In addition to addressing legal and infrastructural failures, Bloom acknowledged the role of civic engagement in improving river health. He encouraged citizens to report pollution incidents, participate in monitoring programs, and support local restoration efforts. He praised the contributions of groups like the Environmental Warriors NPO, which has been cleaning the Apies River since 2023, and students from Laerskool Akasia and other schools who have joined in the effort. “These volunteers should be called the Magnificent Seven,” he joked, highlighting their dedication. The campaign’s goals extend beyond immediate cleanup activities. It seeks to raise awareness about the ecological, economic, and social value of healthy freshwater ecosystems. A functioning river, according to Bloom, should provide clean water for human and animal use, support diverse aquatic life, and maintain stable banks that reduce erosion and filter contaminants. The current state of the Apies River, however, falls far short of these standards, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing South Africa’s water management system.