Hyacinth problem devours R1-m
The Watermaster, which removes the hyacinth, was dispatched to the dam on March 3 last year to assist with the infestation.
The Ekurhuleni Metro has spent over R1-million combating the hyacinth infestation at Brakpan Dam.
This is according to Brandon Pretorius, DA ward councillor for Ward 97 in Brakpan.
Pretorius told the Herald the expenditure covers salaries, and the running costs and repairs of the Watermaster machine.
“The community was immensely excited to finally see a solution to the persistent infestation, but this excitement has subsided as no progress has been made in the past year,” said Pretorius.
“The dam remains completely covered even after the metro has spent over R1-m.
“Over and above this money the city still has to pay the contractor, who was appointed to remove the plant from the banks of the dam.”
Information supplied by the Ekurhuleni MMC of Water, Sanitation and Energy, Clr Tiisetso Nketle, reveals that the Watermaster has broken down five times in the last 12 months and the cost of repairs are as follows:
• Slew crack: R15 000
• Slew breakdown: R23 000
• Cracks on the boom: R149 873
• Cylinder replacement: R29 000
• Hydraulic pipes replacement: R2 500
This is a total of R219 373.
Also read: Hyacinth crisis continues
“Every time this machine breaks down it takes at least a week before the machine is up and running again, meaning that the hyacinth flourishes and all progress made is lost,” said Pretorius.
“The current monthly operating costs are R68 786; broken into R52 786 for salaries, R14 000 for fuel and R2 000 for lubricants.
“This means that in the past 12 months the City of Ekurhuleni has spent over R1-m on the operation at the dam, yet the problem has not been fixed.”
Questions posed by Pretorius for written reply from the council about the duration of the clean-up at the dam were met with the following response: “It is difficult to estimate the duration it will take to clear the lake of the hyacinth.
“Due to the invasive nature of the plant, it also grows rapidly as it being removed.
“Other factors that will influence the time is the water quality and temperature.”
Also read: Look to the sewer for hyacinth solution
Pretorius believes the action taken by the municipality thus far has been completely ineffective.
“The city has only tried to deal with the fruits of the issue and not the root,” he said.
“By simply removing the plant on a daily basis and not looking at the cause is undoubtedly the main reason why no progress has been made.
“The ongoing and obvious reason for this infestation is the continued sewage being released into this waterway.
“The neighbouring water treatment plant is operating above capacity and is incapable of maintaining an effective operation.
“This should have been the metro’s starting point.
“The dam has approximately 10 stormwater systems, as indicated by the Roads and Storm Water Department.
“The test results of the stormwater entering the quarry of Bedford Street indicate the presence of sewer pollution, another huge concern.”
Pretorius proposed that the metro first put measures in place to stop any further sewage from running into the dam.
“It would also be more feasible and cost-effective to appoint a more capable contractor for the removal of the hyacinth from the dam,” he added.
“This wasteful expenditure cannot keep going on like this as the people who suffer the most are the ratepayers and residents.”
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