Roodeplaat dam pollution leaves a foul taste
“Instead of catching fish, we catch diapers and condoms in the dam.”
Residents north of Pretoria are angry that waste and sewage dumped into streams and rivers running through the city end up in the Roodeplaat dam.
This, said the Tshwane metro on Thursday, was a pressing concern and one that would, however, not be resolved soon.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the pollution of the dam was caused by illegal waste dumping and a number of sewage blockages – which maintenance teams had since cleared.
“The Roodeplaat dam is fed by three streams, Edendale, Moreleta and Pienaars,” Mashigo explained.
“Edendale stream and Pienaars river run through the Mamelodi township where there was a problem with several blocked drains and an overflowing manhole.”
Mashigo said although the sewerage blockages had since been cleared, the pollution remained.
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“It will take some time for the rivers and streams to flow clear again, especially because it is not a rainy season.”
People residing close to the Roodeplaat dam said the situation had become dire.
“Going to the dam used to be a fun outing for the family,” said Kameeldrift resident Jacques Anderson.
“But it has become a cesspool. Instead of catching fish in the dam like we used to, we only catch used condoms and diapers.”
Mashigo confirmed that the sewerage blockages in Mamelodi were caused by residents misusing the municipal sewer lines – like flushing sanitary towels, plastics and disposable diapers down the drains.
“Another source of the pollution can be attributed to illegal dumping in the stormwater channels,” said Mashigo.
“The stormwater channels are turned into a waste dumping sites and when water flows, the solid waste is displaced into streams and rivers.
“A collective and intense effort to raise awareness in our communities will be explored in order to help improve water quality in our streams because water is a scarce resource and needs to be preserved.”
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