The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site (COHWH) is one of the most significant paleoanthropological sites in the world, containing 40% of the existing hominin fossil record.

Located north of Johannesburg, it spans 47,000 hectares and serves as a cultural, educational, and scientific hub, offering invaluable insights into human evolution.

The site has played a crucial role in understanding human ancestry, making it a key area for research and tourism.

Polluted Spring

A spring eye in the Cradle. Sadly this tested positive for traces of faecal coliform, ecoli and other indications of contamination

Geological Significance and Fossil Preservation

The unique alkaline environment created by the dolomite and calcite formations in the region has preserved fossils for millions of years.

These well-preserved remains are integral to our understanding of human evolution, contributing to global knowledge on anthropogenesis.

Threats to the COHWH Ecosystem:
Pollution and Ecological Degradation

However, the delicate balance of this ecosystem is under serious threat due to pollution from surrounding industries. Aging infrastructure, industrial contaminants and the legacy of acid mine drainage are causing significant environmental damage. The intersection of these factors has serious concerns for human health and wellbeing, water sustainability, and biodiversity in the area.

Mining Pollution:

The COHWH is located near one of the richest gold-bearing geological areas in the world, but the legacy of acid mine drainage is contaminating local water bodies, disrupting the region’s hydrochemistry. This pollution is potentially endangering fossils and has already impacted on the broader ecosystem and biodiversity in the area.

Wastewater Spills:

The Percy Stewart Wastewater Treatment Works (PS WWTW) has been plagued by aging infrastructure and geological instability, leading to effluent spills since 2013. Most recently, raw effluent spills have increased dramatically, with an estimated 5,000 litres per second of untreated sewerage, industrial pollutants and pharmaceutical metabolites spilling into local rivers, exacerbating bacterial contamination and endangering water quality.

The Role of the WAVE Project: Protecting Water, Heritage, and Health

In response to these escalating threats, the Water and Antimicrobial Resistance Vigilance for Ecosystem Health (WAVE) project is dedicated to safeguarding the COHWH. This initiative focuses on addressing rising bacterial contamination, the threat of zoonotic infections, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within the region’s water bodies, in above and below ground water systems.

The WAVE project aims to:

Develop a better understanding of the hydrochemical changes resulting from pollution.
Mitigate the damage caused by AMD and effluent spills.
Ensure the preservation of COHWH’s unique fossil record.
Enhance ecosystem resilience, water security, and public health.

The Risk to UNESCO Status

If urgent action is not taken, the COHWH risks losing its UNESCO World Heritage status, which would be a significant loss for South Africa’s cultural, educational, and tourism sectors.

The degradation of the site’s defining features could result in its removal from the UNESCO World Heritage List, further compounding the ecological and economic consequences.

Action

Protecting the Cradle of Humankind is not just about preserving fossils; it’s about safeguarding a rich cultural heritage, supporting biodiversity, reducing health risks to surrounding communities, and ensuring food and water security for future generations.

African Potential have brought on board leading scientists, government officials, international specialists, private stakeholders, and local communities in creating a wholistic solution to the water contamination impacting the COHWHS.

Through the WAVE project, we have an opportunity to develop critical knowledge, implement sustainable solutions, and protect this world-renowned site for the benefit of both science and society.

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Gallery

A spring eye in the Cradle.
A spring eye in the Cradle. Sadly this tested positive for traces of faecal coliform, ecoli and other indications of contamination
Once Pristine ecosystem
The cradle was once a pristine ecosystem, with waterways that could be swum in and drunk from. This is no longer the case.
Grey water
The grey water of the Bloubankspruit, 24km downstream from the collapsed Percy Stewart Wastewater Treatment Works is grey with contamination and a foul odour
Trout Farm devoid of life
A once pristine trout dam, is now almost devoid of life
Indication of Pollutants
The foam developing along the river, an indication of pollutants, seems to also indicate a checical reaction at the point where the mine affected water and effluent filled water mix
Sediment banks
Large sediment banks have built up along the rivers and dams, filled with both acid mine drainage and effluent. This sediment was tested and is so chemically complex that laboratory testing was challenging
Speaking to local residence
The team scoping the area and speaking to a local residence
Industrial pollutants
Industrial pollutants from an area alongside the Blougat
Once pristine ecosystem
The river was once a pristine ecosystem, and while the banks remain beautiful in many areas, the impact on the river ecology has been extreme. The river is devoid of life in many places
The Percy Stewart outlet pipe
The Percy Stewart outlet pipe, where untreated effluent has been pumped through a nature reserve and into the Blougat
Blougat
The blougat is about 800m downstream of Percy Stewart. The water here is black and has a gravy consistency most of the time
Exposed Mine water
An outlet pipe for pretreated mine exposed water. You can see the red-brown buildup on the pipes and plants from the legacy of acid mine drainage that still affects this river
Dumping
Alongside the N14 is a pit where effluent has been dumped due to non-commissioning of a pump station. There is a risk that the water seepage will result in a sinkhole developing
Closed Trout farm
A once pristine trout farm that has now closed its doors. The threat to food security as a result of this kind of pollution is a serious concern
Dump Site
A dump site for “honey suckers” has been upgraded, but the use of chemicals within portable toilets kills the sensitive biomes within the wastewater treatment plants, resulting in further challenges to maintaining an effective water sanitation system
Percy Stewart primary sediment remover
A Percy Stewart primary sediment remover tank (PST) recently refurbished. This is one of 9 gravel pits, with only one functional
Sewerage leaking
Sewerage leaking through a grass farm has cost the farmer a massive amount of revenue annually for a number of years
Collabaration
Dr Coetzee discussing with Blue Deal collaborators, the fish kill we had observed in the area a week before