Response by Japhet Ncube
30 April 2022
The article “UPL
Proposes Releasing Contaminated Water Into South African Sea” (Bloomberg, 28 April 2022) refers. Despite what is implied
by this headline, UPL is in fact proposing a disposal method that is lawful. It
needs to be understood that over time the toxicity levels of the runoff from
the UPL site have dramatically reduced, and the authorities, with UPL, are of
the common view that disposing of this water to Class A landfill is no longer
the best or most environmentally sustainable option. It must be stressed
however that UPL remains committed to disposing of contaminated surface water
strictly in accordance with licences and authorisations from the relevant
government authorities and in a manner that is considered safe.
Response by Japhet Ncube
30 April 2022
The article “UPL
Proposes Releasing Contaminated Water Into South African Sea” (Bloomberg, 28 April 2022) refers. Despite what is implied
by this headline, UPL is in fact proposing a disposal method that is lawful. It
needs to be understood that over time the toxicity levels of the runoff from
the UPL site have dramatically reduced, and the authorities, with UPL, are of
the common view that disposing of this water to Class A landfill is no longer
the best or most environmentally sustainable option. It must be stressed
however that UPL remains committed to disposing of contaminated surface water
strictly in accordance with licences and authorisations from the relevant
government authorities and in a manner that is considered safe.
Following the unprecedented rains and flooding in KwaZulu Natal in
April, UPL’s team of independent experts conducted toxicity texts on the 11th
of April on the water in both the pollution control dam (PCD) and on Platform 2.
Once the results became available, it was evident that with a dilution factor
of 1:40, the residual toxicity in both bodies of water would be reduced to No Observable Effect Concentration (NOEC), meaning it is completely safe for the environment. In fact, water in
the average suburban pool would be deemed as having a higher chemical
concentration than the water in both the PCD and Platform 2.
The dilution option is particularly
appropriate at the moment since the rains have increased the flows in both the
Ohlanga tributary and the river. With appropriate measurement and control,
UPL’s team of experts have advised that it would be completely safe to
discharge the water into the tributary at a dilution of 1:40. Thereafter, the
water will become even more diluted when it enters into the Umhlanga River, the
estuary and the sea. This option is considered by the experts to be more
environmentally sustainable than tankering the water with its low toxicity
levels to a Class A landfill.
It is for this reason that UPL has applied to
the eThekwini oversight bodies (including the municipality) for urgent
authorisation to proceed with the disposal of the water by dilution via the
tributary into the sea. It has provided all the necessary reports and
certificates to the municipal authorities to support proceeding with this
option and will only proceed with it if so authorised
UPL has spared no expense when it comes to
mitigating the impact of the arson attack on its warehouse in July last year
and has spent over R400 million to date on its clean up and rehabilitation
efforts. It remains committed to disposing of water from the site strictly in
accordance with the municipality’s disposal standards and only in a manner
which is considered compliant and safe
by the relevant experts and authorities.
Ncube is spokesperson for UPL South Africa
