M.Sc. (Zoology) / An investigation was made into the water chemistry, bacteriology and macroinvertebrate fauna of the Elsburg Spruit and its major tributaries within the municipal boundaries of the City of Germiston. From the results obtained it is clear that the main stream and most of its tributaries are seriously affected by a combination of pollutants. Three types of pollution could largely be distinguished namely fecal bacterial contamination of parts of the stream system which may be related to the possible discharge in the stream of domestic sewage. This in turn may be a major source of organic enrichment of the water of the stream at some places. Acid pollution associated with high mineral loads and heavy metal concentrations which in the latter case could be traced to mining regions and industrial areas in the catchment area of the system. Despite the serious disturbance of stream conditions in the upper region of the Elsburg Spruit some recovery does in fact take place in the lower lying regions of the Elsburg Spruit where the stream flows for several kilometers through a natural vlei area. Certain recommendations are made concerning the location and possible elimination of the major sources of pollution.