Concerns mount over possible water pollution in Govan Mbeki Municipality as sewage flows into Vaal catchment area
AfriForum’s water tests show the drinking water that Rand Water supplies, complies with the health standards, but that treated waste water in Bethal did not comply with these standards.
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Residents of Secunda, eMbalenhle, Lebohang and Bethal are worried over water pollution. Sewage is flowing into waterways, including Blesbok Spruit and other streams, that form part of the Vaal catchment area.
As many as seven pump stations in the area are not working. They are in Lebohang, Evander, Kinross Thistle Grove, Kinross town and Sunset Park, and two are in Bethal.
Govan Mbeki Municipality said the stations in Lebohang, Evander (main road) and Kinross town near the golf course are working. One station in Bethal will be repaired when the impeller that was ordered from the service provider, arrives. The other pump station would have been cleared on 29 May if a TLB was available.
The pump station in Sunset Park in Secunda that overflows onto the Graceland golf course, has been working for the past six months and had no overflows.
Council said though they maintain these pump stations themselves, they have on occasion made use of experts’ services.
Does Council test the water?
Council said they often perform water quality tests upstream and downstream of the waste water treatment works. They said that local water quality complies with the SANS241:2015.
However, Mr Tim Denny, a Democratic Alliance councillor, said the sewage that is flowing from municipal sewers into waterways, remains a problem. He suggested people must not ignore the impact on the environment and the health of people living in informal settlements.
“In Lebohang, for example, untreated human waste flows straight into Blesbok Spruit. Our municipality is polluting our water and our environment.
“We have a constant problem in eMbalenhle with sewers overflowing and sewage spills not only into waterways, but also into people’s homes.”
AfriForum performs water tests
AfriForum performed water quality tests as part of their national Green and Blue Drop Campaign in Secunda and Bethal.
“The purity of the drinking water and treated waste water was acceptable.
The tests, however showed that treated waste water in Bethal did not comply with the health standards.
“The outcome of these tests do not mean that water is not being polluted. This simply means the drinking water that Rand Water supplies, complies with the health standards.
“We need to look into the sewage from the municipal sewers that is flowing into the Vaal catchment area because it is a public health crisis. We cannot tolerate this any longer,” explained Mr Denny.
For more information on the AfriForum Green and Blue Drop tests, visit www.ridgetimes.co.za.
