River pollution is a major challenge to South Africa’s water resources. On 2 May this year the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg formally adopted the Modderfontein Spruit, in partnership with the Department of Water Affairs, City of Ekurhuleni, the Gauteng Department of Basic Education, ERWAT and Rand Water. The ceremony as led by the Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi.

In 2010, a report by Cook found that the ecological state of the Modderfontein Spruit is poor due to heavy urban development in the area. Sewage spills and industrial waste are polluting the water. The banks are strewn with plastic litter. The majority of open areas next to the river are dominated by alien and invasive plants and trees. Watercress (Nasturtium officinale or Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum) was also found along the Modderfontein Spruit and its tributaries. This plant smothers water-courses and provides breeding areas for mosquitoes as well as bilharzia carrying-snails.

“The Department of Water Affairs initiated Adopt a River project as part of the River Health Programme to ensure that our rivers are protected from any kind of pollution that might seek to threaten the river health”, said Mabudafhasi.

The Modderfontein Spruit project will run hand in hand with the Department of Water Affairs’ ’ 2020 Vision for Water Educational Programme, which involves young people in the management, care and protection of our country’s water resources. By adopting a river, the schools and the communities in the area will be encouraged to become water and environment ambassadors and take on the challenge of improving, maintaining and monitoring the section of the river that runs through their area.

Speaking at the launch Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi further commended Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre for heeding the clarion call that would bring all stakeholders together to formulate an integrated approach that is aiming at jointly protecting, conserving and managing the water resource in order to meet the needs of current and future generations.

Environmental responsibility is not new to the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre. The Chief Executive Officer, Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo, of the hotel group has appointed an Ever Green team to actively promote green hospitality and environmental awareness within the group. As a reward for its efforts, the hotel achieved the coveted Gold Status through the Heritage Environmental Rating.