Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has commented on the death of about 90 fish at Willow Park in Dowerglen, Edenvale.
Also read: A cloud of death hangs over Willow Park
The NEWS published two articles in its May 24 edition.
The first article focused on the death of the fish and the condition of the park after the NEWS visited the park on Wednesday 17.
The second article highlighted the efforts of community members and the municipality to rescue and relocate some of the surviving fish.
Also read: Fish relocated on Friday
Some of the fish were relocated to dams in the Primrose and Hartbeespoort areas.
Some of the fish will remain in the Dowerglen dam now that the competition for oxygen has been reduced.
In the EMM’s response to the NEWS, Themba Gadebe, spokesperson and senior media manager, said a blocked sewer was to blame for the death of the fish.
Also read: No conclusive report on death of fish
Gadebe said a team of technicians attended to a sewer blockage on the corner of Hendrik Potgieter Avenue and Elm Street.
In order to prevent further wildlife catastrophes Gadebe said plans have been put in place by the EMM.
“The sweeping of all sewer pipelines in the area are currently under way. CCTV inspections of the pipelines will also be conducted to identify any problematic pipelines in an effort to prevent future blockages,” said Gadebe.
He said the water at the dam was treated and aerated on the weekend of May 27 in an effort to oxygenate the water to prevent further fish deaths.
Also read: Sewage pollutes Gilloolly’s Dam
“The aquatic wildlife living in the City of Ekurhuleni is very high on the city’s priority list and all measures will be put in place to prevent the re-occurrence of such incidents,” said Gadebe.
Watch: Fish dying at Willow Park, May 17
