Queens wetland a breeding ground for mosquitos
“Instead of improving the quality of water flowing into Bruma Lake, it is spreading pollution further up alongside the river. I hope somebody can assist residents in the area with these problems before it leads to a serious health problem".
A resident living close to the Queens Wetland is pleading with officials to address problems that could soon pose a danger to people’s health.
The Queens Wetland, between 10th and Queen streets in Bruma, was reinstated by the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) two years ago with the belief that it would improve the state of the environment.
The aim was to treat water flowing down the Jukskei River towards Bruma Lake through physical filtration and biological activity on the wetland.
However, it is having an adverse effect on residents. Mr Mervin Mottian, a Dewetshof resident, said that due to the slow movement of water through the wetland, and possibly stagnant water in some parts, the wetland has become a breeding ground for mosquitos. “I have to fight off swarms of mosquitos almost every night. The smell from the river has gone from bad to worse, with a strong sewer smell propagating throughout the road on a daily basis.
“Previously, this used to only happen maybe two to three times a year. Dirt constantly blocks the bypass. It is in a filthy state most of the time and is an eyesore,” he said.
He added that the grass alongside the river and the adjacent road is approaching a meter high towards the edges.
“The grass in the open areas is cut once in two to three months in summer but the edges are never cut,” said Mr Mottian.
He said the area is deteriorating because of the wetland. “Instead of improving the quality of water flowing into Bruma Lake, it is spreading pollution further up alongside the river. I hope somebody can assist residents in the area with these problems before it leads to a serious health problem,” he said.
Environmentalist and chairperson of the Jukskei River Catchment Area Management Forum, Mr Paul Fairall, said he warned the city of the possible consequences of not taking his advice. He previously told the EXPRESS that he made recommendations regarding the reinstatement of the Queens Wetland in the basic environmental assessment.
He recommended that a fore bay be constructed to capture the road grit but this was ignored. According to Mr Fairall, the fore bay would also have acted as catchment for any sewage spills and facilitated easy cleaning.
He also warned of a possible health hazard if the problems on the wetland were not attended to.
In an article earlier this year, he said the wetland was acting as a litter and sewage trap. He raised concerns about the mosquitoes and other insects carrying diseases.
Mr Mottian approached Clr Alison van der Molen for help after his attempts to get council officials to reply to his concerns failed.
Clr Van der Molen raised his concerns with council officials but said that she has still not received a response.
“The problems experienced due to the wetland are a concern for me. The ecosystem that was created was compromised last year when the wetland was set alight. This could be a reason for the increase in mosquitos. However, until officials speak to me, it is extremely difficult to give community members feedback. It is frustrating that officials do not give us feedback and this is against the Municipal Systems Act,” said Clr Van der Molen.
The EXPRESS forwarded an enquiry to the City of Johannesburg. At the time of going to print, no comment was received.
