The Umbilo River forms part of the Durban Metro's D'Moss trail and conservation efforts.

In 2015 residents complained about the constant pollution of the river over the previous two years, including terrible smell and a colour change to “smurf blue”.

[1] In October 2020, high levels of E. coli had been detected in the river, due to a malfunction at a sewage pump station.

[2] One week later 100 thousand litres of crude oil spilled into the Umbilo River.

[3] [4] In July 2020, a petition[5] had been started by Greenpeace Africa and the uMbilo River Watch community group to stop the heavy pollution.