‘‘I am ecstatic and I want to thank emergency services for their efficiency,’’ said Clr André du Plessis.
‘‘I also want to thank the community for bringing the problem to my attention.
‘‘It was quite incredible to see the reaction of the geese and other water birds, as well as the fish, as the fresh water started flowing into the pond.
‘‘It was just in time!’’
He said the municipality has averted an ecological disaster.
The Ekurhuleni Emergency Services filled the pond on Tuesday, after residents in the area and du Plessis voiced their concerns about the looming environmental disaster.
According to a resident who lives near the pond, Renier Jooste, weeks before the pond was filled, 20 to 30 fish were found to be dead and several were also allegedly removed from the dam by passersby.
Du Plessis said the bird life has also been saved with the addition of the water, as many nesting ducks and geese were left vulnerable to children and dogs.
