CoE comment on pollution in Protea Park
“In cases relating to industrial effluent, an inspection notice of non-compliance is issued or recommendations on the interventions required.”
Despite recent sightings of what is described as paint by residents in the river of Protea Park, the City of Ekurhuleni’s (CoE) water quality section of the water and sanitation department is not aware of any illegal activities where pollutants are being discharged.
This comes after Marais Steyn Park resident Anke Grosche recently noticed what she believed was paint in the river. Nhlanhla Cebekhulu, the CoE’s divisional head of communication and media relations, said they are aware of a complaint in the Spartan/Isando area and that an inspection was performed by the water quality section.
“It was found that a PVC pipe at an effluent treatment plant broke which resulted in industrial effluent entering the stormwater system.
“This was an isolated incident at the company. The company was instructed to stop operations immediately, which they did.
“A notice was issued to the company, corrective action was implemented by the company and an incident report was received from the company.”
Cebekhulu said any pollution reported to or noticed by water quality officials is attended to by performing an inspection and/or sampling if required.
“Where applicable, an inspection notice will be issued.”
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Cebekhulu encouraged residents to report these matters to the CoE call centre 24/7 or the water quality offices during office hours.
Alternatively, residents can make use of the My CoE App available on Google Play Store or Apple iStore. Cebekhulu said to ensure the municipality has high-quality water, monthly sampling and testing of the main and selective smaller stormwater channels and rivers are conducted to identify possible pollution.
“The appropriate CoE department is then informed. In cases relating to industrial effluent, an inspection notice of non-compliance is issued or recommendations on the interventions required.” Cebekhulu said the appropriate CoE department is then informed.
“In cases relating to industrial effluent, an inspection notice of non-compliance is issued by or recommendations on the interventions required.
“Monthly sampling and testing of the main and selective smaller stormwater channels and rivers is conducted to identify possible pollution.”
When asked about the frequency and the type of water tested, Cebekhulu said potable water is sampled at various pre-selected points at intervals ranging from monthly to bi-monthly as per the SANS 241 drinking water standards.
“The stormwater system is sampled at pre-selected sampling points once a month,” said Cebekhulu. “This is to identify sewer blockages or illegal discharge of industrial effluent that are then reported to the CoE department responsible.
“All samples are submitted to the laboratory for analysis and evaluated for any interventions.”
When asked about the role, the CoE’s Green Scorpions play and whether or not the CoE had any informative education water programmes planned Cebekhulu said the comment was being obtained.
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