Efforts to clean Hennops intensify
“We are very worried about this area in particular, especially with the rainy season fast approaching.”
Efforts to clean the struggling and heavily polluted Hennops River intensified at the weekend as locals once again pulled 40 bags of garbage from the water.
The clean-up was part of a follow-up initiative at the Hendrik Verwoerd Drive bridge after attempts to clean the river kicked off the weekend prior.
“We are very worried about this area in particular, especially with the rainy season fast approaching,” said organiser and Fresh.ngo director Willem Snyman.
“There is a weir located at this stretch and it is our only defence for the Hennops river at this stage.”
Snyman said the weir, which was cleared of debris and litter a week ago, had become clogged up again in a matter of days.
“This litter trap is the only one of its kind in this area and it keeps garbage from flowing further downstream,” he said.
“The problem is the amount of litter coming from further upstream is so bad, the weir will have to be cleared on a regular basis to remain effective.”
Snyman said the coming rains would not make things easier as even more litter would flow down the river.
“On Saturday, we cleared all of the debris and we also cleared some of the hyacinth growing over the weir and keeping it from doing its job.
READ MORE: Hundreds of refuse bags filled in Hennops river clean-up
“There is still a few metres of the weir that needs to be cleared of these plants in order for the river to get flowing naturally once again.”
Snyman was also worried the weir might be in danger of being stolen.
“The area is not fenced off and is in fact easily accessible to anyone who wants to walk here.
“Our goal is to convince the Tshwane metro to increase access control to the area which includes the local park.”
Meanwhile, Snyman and his team hoped to increase their efforts to clean the Hennops river before the rain season.
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