Metro restricts borehole drilling for Centurion
Residents who wish to build ponds as well must get permission from the Tshwane metro.
The Tshwane metro has restricted the drilling of boreholes and construction of water features in Centurion to prevent the possibility of sinkholes.
The area is underlain by dolomitic rock and therefore susceptible to sinkholes.
“Water and sanitation issued notices stating no boreholes are permitted in dolomite areas and proclaimed townships,” said the metro.
“The geological sub-section (roads and transport department) does not support boreholes in areas that are prone to dolomite instability.”
The metro’s warning comes after an Eldoraigne resident had started building a fishpond in their yard without following proper channels in the municipality.
Residents who want to build or construct ponds must get the approval of the metro’s geology department before proceeding, the metro said.
The department requires a certificate on the design of the structure and implementation of dolomite precautionary measures before it can approve plans for ponds, pools and other water retaining structures.
Local ward councillor Cindy Bilson said the restriction not only on ponds but also the construction of big swimming pools and boreholes.
“Residents must acknowledge that what they do may affect their neighbours. In this case, the entire community may be affected,” said Bilson.
According to the metro’s town planning scheme, residents are not allowed to have wells or boreholes on their stand without permission from the metro.
It also states that the metro will not approve applications for boreholes in areas prone to dolomite instability.
The geoscience development council manager for infrastructure and land use integrated Willem Meintjes said sinkholes were triggered by highly concentrated ingress of water in dolomitic areas or large-scale groundwater abstraction.
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