Illiondale environmental disaster avoided
It is estimated that the river clean-up would take around 20 days.
Residents’ fears of a looming environmental disaster have been put at ease.
During the night of August 31 and early morning September 1, an incident occurred at the material and ash handling facility at Kelvin Power Station which resulted in a substantial amount of coal ash washing into the Illiondale River.
“A valve which is meant to be operational during the day was left open and resulted in an ash spillage. The ash slurry washed down slope and into the receiving Modderfontein Spruit also known as the Illiondale River. This incident polluted the spruit,” said Kelvin Power’s safety manager, Mr Trevor Porter.
By September 2 portions of the river were no longer flowing and environmental activists within the community rushed to the river, fearing that wildlife would be severely affected.
Ward 18 committee member for the environmental portfolio, Ms Margy Peddar told the NEWS senior management at the privately owned power station immediately reacted to the spillage.
She added that management at the power station has taken full responsibility for the ash spillage.
“Kelvin Power has also undertaken to not only clean the river but also to partner with the community to ensure the river and wetland is looked after in the future,” Ms Peddar said.
According to Kelvin Power’s safety manager, Mr Trevor Porter, when the spillage became known corrective measures were put in place.
This included putting an immediate stop to the source of pollution.
“The incident was also reported to the relevant authorities and an internal investigation was launched to establish the extent of the incident and root cause,” Mr Porter said.
He added that an investigation was also conducted by an external independent engineering consulting firm.
“The comprehensive investigations are aimed at ensuring such an incident does not occur in the future,” Mr Porter said.
In addition Kelvin Power has procured the services of environmental assessment consultants to conduct a comprehensive post clean-up assessment of the affected spruit.
“We are fully committed assisting and supporting the Edenvale community. We have undertaken to clean the Illiondale River from Kelvin Power Station to Modderfontien,” Mr Porter said.
In addition the group will also clear all pollution in the river which was not related to the ash spillage and have agreed to assist with the repair of certain damaged municipal sewerage lines which flow into the river.
“When cleaning started, we encountered a municipal sewerage pipeline which was leaking raw sewage into the river. We cannot have sewerage pollution on this scale entering the river system,” said Mr Porter.
It is estimated that the river clean-up would take around 20 days.
The NEWS was assured that the ash would not have a lasting effect on the delicate river eco-system.
Kelvin Power has also pledged its continued support of the Illiondale Wetland Buddies.
“Our chief executive officer is eager to assist the Illiondale Wetland Buddies in any way possible. We will partner with the group to ensure the river is kept clean in the future,” Mr Porter said.
Throughout the cleaning process, officials will monitor the river’s pH levels and should any problem be encountered these will be addressed immediately.
“We sincerely apologise for the failure of our control systems, we are working hard to ensure that such incident does not occur in the future,” Mr Porter said.
Residents who may have questions or who would like any further information are welcomed to attend daily site meetings at the Cecil Auret Road bridge in Illiondale from 8.30am.
