Breede River environment plan taking shape

Abstract

The aim of this plan is to protect the ecological integrity of the 322 km-long Breede River that drains the catchment of 12 625 km2 and drives the agricultural and tourism sectors of the province. “The inspiration for our plan follows growing threats to the Breede River Catchment over time,” says Zayed Brown, project manager. “One major, growing challenge has been the increase in invasive species that have been reducing water yield significantly. Experts calculate that as much as 30% of the water resource could be lost over 20 years.” Frequent fires in alien vegetation have contributed to soil erosion and subsequent sedimentation in rivers. It has been calculated that as much as 60 tons of soil per hectare is lost when fires burn in alien vegetation. Water quality in the catchment continues to be under threat. The main contributors are nutrient enrichment from wastewater treatment work discharges, return flows from agricultural land enriched with fertilisers and stormwater flows from the informal housing sector.

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