Barberton Mines create awareness about water pollution
The theme was “There is no substitute for water.” The event started early with the volunteers being divided into groups, each targeting a specific area.
Barberton Mines recently hosted a Water Week campaign at Sheba sports ground. According to Edmond Chirwa, Barberton Mines liaison officer, the objective of the event was to create awareness in communities about water pollution and its adverse effects on their health.
“Sheba Siding was identified as an area to hold our awareness since it falls within the care of Barberton Mines as per our water-use licence conditions. Activities in this area is seriously polluting water resources. Thus the Barberton Mines saw it fit to conduct this year’s campaign at Sheba Siding,” said Chirwa.
The event was supported by the Mpumalanga Department of Health, Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency, Umjindi Local Municipality, Stefanutti Stocks, Medshield Medical Aid Scheme and Zamokuhle Home Community-based Care.
The theme was “There is no substitute for water.”
The event started early with the volunteers being divided into groups, each targeting a specific area.
The clean-up was conducted from Mahhohloka/Sheba Siding River. A stretch of three kilometres was covered and it was mostly polluted by disposable nappies, broken bottles, cans and plastic bags. It took the volunteers about three hours to clean the river and its banks.
Chirwa said after the clean-up the river started to flow freely again since most parts had been blocked by the waste that was dumped in it.
“We encourage the community to preserve the most precious resources, which is water. Community members must report any misuse of water and other leakages to the Umjindi Municipality,” added Chirwa.
The waste-management staff collected more than 500 refuse bags filled with waste out of the river on the day.
