Deteriorating Westdene Dam sparks urgent calls for environmental action
The Westdene Dam is facing a pollution crisis, prompting urgent calls for action from officials to restore its natural beauty.
The state of Westdene Dam has been a growing concern for years, prompting calls for immediate action to combat pollution and restore the water body’s health.
Nthatisi Modingoane, the spokesperson for the City of Johannesburg, acknowledged the ongoing challenges and outlined the city’s efforts to manage the situation.
According to Modingoane, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) conducts regular clean-ups around the dam and nearby parks, where bins are provided to help control litter. However, he noted that pollution in the area was exacerbated by blocked stormwater systems and various water and sanitation infrastructure issues. “There are continuous engagements with other municipal entities to address the pollution challenges,” he stated.
Read more: Four birds found dead in Westdene garden
The impact of pollution on aquatic life, including the local duck population, is a significant concern. He emphasised that the city was actively working to manage pollution with the limited resources available. “The Environmental and Infrastructure Services Department conducts monthly water quality monitoring upstream and downstream of the Westdene Dam and Braamfontein Spruit.”
He added that this monitoring served as an early warning system to alert the relevant entities about water quality issues.
Modingoane highlighted that JCPZ deployed an amphibious harvester to Westdene Dam in March and April this year to address severe infestations of alien water plants, which had helped improve the water flow.
David Dumakude, a local fisherman and clean-up volunteer, expressed his frustration with the dam’s deteriorating condition. “The state of the dam is very bad, and urgent intervention is needed before we have a public health crisis on our hands,” he warned.
Dumakude noted that the dam was frequently used by surrounding communities for recreational purposes and served as an economic hub. “If we as volunteers had more resources, we could do more to save the dam, but we do not have that.”
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