Westdene Spruit battles with raw sewage
Westdene Spruit suffers as raw sewage flows into its waters from broken pipes, which flows through the Melville Koppies, affecting the ecosystem of Johannesburg's green spaces.
An environmental crisis continues to plague the Westdene Spruit, posing a significant threat to wildlife and public health.
Raw sewage continues to contaminate this natural water source, which flows through Melville Koppies before reaching the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, raising alarm bells among environmentalists and residents alike.
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Jenny Grice, a member of the Emmarentia Residents Association (ERA) and a volunteer guide at Melville Koppies, confirmed that water tests conducted in the spruit over the past year have revealed dangerously high levels of E. coli. She attributed the contamination to broken sewerage pipes and blockages in sewer mains, which have led to raw sewage flowing directly into the waterway.
“Despite numerous complaints and reports to Johannesburg Water (JW), the issue persists,” said Grice. “Earlier this year, sewage flowed into the spruit for over a month before being addressed.”
The pollution has made it impossible for conservation teams to clean the affected area safely. Grice explained that the high E. coli count posed severe health risks, especially for those without protective gear. “Even a small cut on the hand or leg could expose someone to serious illness,” she warned.
Also read: What kind of pollution flows through the Westdene Spruit?
Adding to the crisis, informal settlements along the riverbanks below the University of Johannesburg contribute to the degradation of the waterway. Grice noted that heavy storms have washed personal belongings from these communities into the spruit, where they become entangled in overhanging branches.
Pollution from littering and stormwater drains further exacerbates the situation. Grice expressed frustration that the spruit, originating just 3km away on the Brixton and Crosby ridge, is already heavily polluted by the time it reaches Melville Koppies.
Dr Ferrial Adam, the executive manager of WaterCAN, warned that sewage contamination had both immediate and long-term environmental consequences. “It leads to biodiversity loss, fish mortality, and oxygen depletion in the water,” she explained. “Additionally, it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, including methane and carbon dioxide.”
In recreational areas, she added, high contamination levels posed a risk not only to humans but also to pets and wildlife. Furthermore, excessive nutrient levels from sewage could trigger eutrophication, a process that results in unchecked algae growth, depleting oxygen and causing mass fish die-offs.
With the spruit falling under the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) area, spokesperson Jenny Moodley highlighted that they have been made aware of the sewage spills into the dam. “The matter has been escalated to both JW and CoJ’s Environmental Infrastructure Services Department, which are responsible for environmental oversight in the city. The spills have serious implications and are concerning to JCPZ and residents, and we will continue to work with entities in the city to swiftly address the issue.”
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