Water Quality and Abatement of Pollution in Natal Rivers (III): The Tugela River and its Tributaries

This report presents chemical, hydrobiological, and bacteriological investigations of the Tugela River system (Natal), using methods consistent with those described in Part I of the series. The findings indicate that, except at relatively few locations where pollution was detected, overall water quality was generally good (Classes I and II) across much of the system. Mineral pollution associated with coal mining districts in Northern Natal was observed, strongly affecting smaller streams but having limited influence on major rivers due to dilution. Organic pollution was detected at several points, most notably in the Little Bushman’s River at Estcourt; however, the report notes that pollution in the Tugela system was generally less intense than in the “Three Rivers Region” (Part II). The report compiles survey work conducted across multiple years and tributaries (including the Buffalo, Sundays, Bushmans, and Mooi rivers), includes river zonation and flow discussion, and concludes with a classification of water quality at sampling stations (1965 survey). An appendix provides a detailed discussion of mineral pollution from coal mines, explaining its origin (pyrite oxidation), impacts, and challenges for pollution abatement.