Sewage in Hennops River linked to Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni

The Tshwane metro has identified that the pollution in the Hennops River is primarily due to overflowing sewage from Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed that the city is aware of the current state of the river and elaborated on the measures being taken after residents complained about its awful smell.

The growing concern from residents and businesses about the unbearable stench of raw sewage coming from the river is that it had a significant environmental and economic impact on the area.

“It is a cross-border challenge, and the matter has been escalated to the National Department of Water and Sanitation for intervention,” Mashigo said.

According to the general manager of the Irene Country Club, Gary Marais, the pollution in the river directly affects their business.

“People who go to the golf club would often complain about the river,” Marais said.

He revealed that the club’s ranking has suffered as a result, losing at least two spots compared to other golf clubs in the country due to the polluted river.

Marais added that some club members have become reluctant to play there due to the overwhelming stench.

“If the river overflows to the grass at the club, then we lose a week’s worth of golf being played,” he lamented.

A resident in a Hennopspark complex bordering the river, Monique du Randt, shared the community’s distress.

“You can’t leave your doors or windows open because the smell makes you nauseous,” she said.

Du Randt also mentioned that the raw pollution left in the river has exacerbated the situation.

She revealed the tragic consequences of the polluted water, saying, “I have been raising two pea chicks whose parents died due to drinking the polluted water that comes from the river. That is the only water for them in our area”.

Tarryn Johnston, the founder of Hennops Revival, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the river’s restoration, explained the source of the foul odour.

“It is possible the smell is caused by the organic matter that has started decaying, which produces a gas that goes into the air,” she said.

Johnston acknowledged that raw sewage into the river and the overall pollution have exacerbated the problem, especially with the current heat of summer, which intensifies the smell.

However, Johnston revealed that her organisation has had to halt its river clean-up initiatives, which has only made the situation worse.

She said the river no longer flows as it used to, and has accumulated a lot more waste.

“In the past couple of years, the smell from the river was not as bad as it is now. It is really unbearable.”

Johnston added that this could be due to the lack of clean-ups.

“I am not able to pay some of the people that used to help me with the clean-up effort,” she said, expressing the challenges faced in sustaining this crucial work.

Johnston announced early this year the difficult decision regarding Hennops River and the River Warriors.

“The decision has been made due to the river experiencing an overwhelming concentration of sewage, surpassing the natural water content to a degree that is highly concerning.”

At the time, Johnston said she was concerned about the increased risks of waterborne diseases, especially during the rainy season.

“Heavy rains and flooding can lead to further contamination of our water sources, posing a threat to the health of anyone in contact with the water.

“I cannot send earth angels into a festering cesspool of death, rot, and decay any longer,” she told Rekord.

“Our work seems to have enabled even more apathy.”

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