Department issue update on mortality incident at Nandoni Dam
The Department of Water and Sanitation [DWS] are investigating the recent fish mortality incident at Nandoni Dam and the Luvuvhu River, Limpopo.
The Department received reports of dead fish in December and promptly collected water samples at the affected sites on December 20, 2024. These samples were analysed at two accredited laboratories, Muratho Laboratory and Capricorn Veterinary Laboratory.
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Preliminary results showed that all water quality parameters, including dissolved oxygen and chemical oxygen demand, were within acceptable limits as per prescribed standards.
“Therefore, preliminary results indicated no significant water quality deviations to explain the fish mortality,” the department said in a statement.
![The Department of Water and Sanitation [DWS] are investigating the recent fish mortality incident at Nandoni Dam and the Luvuvhu River, Limpopo.](https://www.limpopochronicle.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Nandoni-Dam-fish-water--scaled.jpg)
OFFICIAL UPDATE ISSUED ON THE NANDONI DAM FISH MORTALITY INCIDENT
“Samples of dead fish were preserved for pathological analysis, which will commence when laboratories reopen next week. This should enable the Department to identify the cause of the fish mortality. So far, the Department can confirm that only one type of fish species out of approximately five species in the affected 1 km stretch of the Luvuvhu River was impacted.
“Additionally, on December 21, 2024, the Department conducted an inspection at the Thohoyandou wastewater treatment plant and three associated wastewater pumps as well as several manholes to exclude sewage overflows and spillages. None of these were detected.”
“Further water samples were collected at Tshitomboni pedestrian bridge on December 22, 2024, to test for possible oil contamination after a substance resembling oil particles was observed floating on the river water. Although the substance could be oil of decaying dead fish, the Department wants to ascertain this in a scientific way.”
The Department has urged community members not to consume or sell the dead fish, as it may pose serious health risks.