Joburg Water inspects Morninghill stream

Following a site visit by Joburg Water to the Morninghill portion of the Juskei River last week, the ward 20 councillor, Clr Jill Humphreys, said she is hopeful the pollution will be addressed.

She said she awaits a report, as well as suggestions, of mitigation.

Clr Humphreys said, from her discussions with the officials, she was made to understand that the increased incidence of pollution in the river in recent months is as a result of the changes at Bruma Lake and that the ongoing, real problem is the overlay of stormwater over sewers in the Joburg CBD.

She added, “I also understand that the system is budgeted to be improved in the new financial year (July). In the meantime, the river is being monitored at its upper course for possible other ingress. Suggestions were made to introduce plant material to create wetlands for increased filtration.”

Environmental consultant, Mr Paul Fairall, said he does not believe sewers could be the only source of the pollution in the stream, as there were signs of Solphonic Acid.

“I am less and less convinced that this is solely sewage from the inner CBD of Johannesburg. This is Solphonic Acid, which is the foaming ingredient of soap. I believe we have more than one source of pollution. This foam would also manifest at the weir, just above the Queen Street bridge, or on the new rip-rap of stone in the river through Bruma. That there is sewage from the CBD running through Morninghill is a fact. However, I believe the excess soap is emanating somewhere in Bedfordview; car washers in Eastgate or Park Meadows. Some officials will have to walk the precinct and do inspections,” he said.

Mr Fairall revealed plans to lay criminal charges against those responsible for the pollution.