Petroleum product cause of pollution in East Lynne and surrounds
A community meeting will be held at 18:00 at Hoërskool Transvalia on Thursday evening. Various role players and officials from various governing departments will give feedback on the investigation.
Water tests that have been conducted in the north of Pretoria, have revealed a petroleum product found in the water.
This was after residents complained about a foul smell recently.
DA-councillor of ward 87, Freddie Pienaar, said Eersterust, Jan Niemand Park, East Lynne, Ekklesia, Derdepoort, Montana Park en Kameeldrift are affected by the pollution.
“Various role players and officials from various governing departments met last week to discuss the pollution and feedback will be given to the community on Thursday evening.”
A community meeting will be held at 18:00 at Hoërskool Transvalia on Thursday evening.
“Initially I received complaints from residents who reported a foul smell, who thought the smell was caused by plastic being burnt.
“Police and emergency services were called in and all fires in the area that contained plastic were put out.
“The smell however persisted and then members of the health department, as well as the Environmental department were summoned to assist.”
According to Pienaar, it was then found that the smell came from the water in the area and air quality tests were conducted.
“Eventually residents and CPF members checked the area and a stream containing an oily substance was discovered and water tests were done. The stream reaches the Moretele Spruit,” Pienaar said.
“It was later confirmed that a petroleum product contaminated the water.
“The matter is still being investigated, however, I can confirm premises were visited by governing officials yesterday where a private business owner recycles oil, and the same substance came up which was indeed found in the water.
He said at the moment possibilities are being considered to flush the system without causing further damage to the environment.
The ward consists of Ekklesia, East Lynne North East, Derdepoort, Montana Park, Kameeldrift, Roodeplaat, Leeufontein, Zeekoegat and Rynoue.
“Another issue currently being addressed is the scraping and filling up of the 500km gravel roads in the ward,” Pienaar said.
“Potholes, streetlights and water leaks are relatively under control.
“I am also currently focusing on informal settlements on Magaliesberg at Leeuwfontein. We are busy moving informal settlers to Kameeldrift,” he concluded.
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