WATCH: Lake water turns rust red after suspected industrial chemical leak
Continuous contamination, lack of maintenance and security have over the years eroded the benefit provided by the multi-million rand multiphase projects to restore the facility to its former glory.
The Boksburg Lake has alarmed locals after it was discovered last week that it had turned rust in colour, after what is thought to have been a leak of chemicals, probably from nearby factories upstream.
Ward 32 Clr Marius de Vos, who alerted the Boksburg Advertiser to the environmental crisis, said he was also shocked to find that the water is rust-coloured.
The reddish-brown waters, he said, appear to be caused by contaminants. He suspected the culprit was one of the factories in the nearby industrial sites upstream.
De Vos is calling on the metro to look into this as a matter of urgency.
“A team must be dispatched to investigate what substance and what company is responsible for the discolouration and pollution of the water.”
The metro has not yet responded to the Advertiser’s request for comment.
It’s unclear whether the relevant department has been made aware of the issue and is investigating the apparent chemical leak.
This incident is the latest in a series of similar previous episodes.
The Advertiser has previously reported that the lake was found to be contaminated with what appeared to be a layer of oil that had made its way into the water, creating an ecological disaster.
Residents living near the public facility, located next to municipal offices and other government institutions, including Tambo Memorial Hospital, have long been complaining about ongoing pollution in the area, adding that despite all the complaints, no one has been held responsible for the crisis.
Also Read: UPDATE: Boksburg Lake water rehabilitation project in limbo
