A motion recently passed in council will see nature do the work to clean the wastewater treatment system in Ekurhuleni.
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Bioremediation is something Ward 20 councillor Jill Humphreys has been advocating and fighting for since pre-Covid.
In September 2020, Humphrey’s introduced the NEWS to environmental warriors Rodney Genricks and Gordon Ernstzen.
Both are internationally renowned for their efforts in cleaning contaminated wastewater by using bacteria-based tablets (bioremediation).
At the time they had partnered with Unicef to clean pit toilets across Africa and were in negotiations with several other countries to roll out their bacteria solution as a sustainable alternative for cleaning water sources.
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They were featured on 50/50 four times for their work in cleaning waste and contaminated water.
Two of the duo’s most notable projects were their involvement in the cleaning of Johannesburg’s Blue Dam in Homestead and Bruma Lake.
Rodney and Gordon have also been part of large-scale clean-up operations at Gillooly’s Farm, several power stations, Roodeplaat Dam and many more.
They hoped to bring their living solution a little closer to home.
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Humphreys said the use of bacteria to clean residential sewer systems is a sustainable look at the future.
She said when the source of the problem is targeted, it will relieve the pressure on the municipal infrastructure.
Through their proposed solution, the bacteria tablets would be dropped in residential sewage lines where the bacteria would clean away toilet paper, effluent, grease and oils.
“Bioremediation answers the need for a safe, environmentally friendly, easy-to-use solution for the mitigation of fats, oil, grease and sludge in residential, commercial and industrial facilities.”
Rodney explained that the tablets help increase overall system efficiency, reduce costly maintenance and eliminate the need for toxic chemicals and special handling procedures.
“The product also reduces the need for frequent and costly pump-outs of wastewater, pump and lift stations.
“The bacteria-based tablets are not harmful and can be used in grease traps, septic systems, portable toilets, water bodies, agricultural farms and car wash facilities.
“This is a non-toxic solution to control solid waste and provide odour control.”
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Rodney told the NEWS in 2020 that in any healthy water there should be oxygen, but when contaminants such as sewage enter the water it depletes oxygen levels.
“When the bacteria are added to the water, the living organisms work to bring balance back and increase the oxygen levels. At the same time, the bacterium digests the harmful contaminants, eliminating the danger, as well as the smell.
“Once the source of contamination is eliminated and the water is clean, the bacteria naturally die off,” he said.
Now, Humphreys will see her longstanding vision finally become a reality.
Humphreys tabled the motion before council at the end of May and watched as it was passed.
“The motion will see bioremediation being implemented as a waste treatment solution across all water treatment plants in the city,” she said.
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“The Ekurhuleni Water Care Company’s (ERWAT) wastewater treatment plants have long been functioning either beyond capacity or straining at maximum capacity.”
She added that no new wastewater treatment plants had been built in the last 20 years.
“Currently of the 19 treatment plants in the city, only a handful are operating, with many of the pump stations being either blocked or dysfunctional.
“This is despite the growing population in the city and the continued use of archaic technology whilst new technology has been readily available,” Humphreys said.
One such technology is bioremediation, which is a biotechnical process that employs the use of living organisms in the removal of contaminants from water and other environments.
“This technology has been tested at the Waterval WWTP and was approved by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA),” she said.
Humphreys said bioremediation digests all fats, oils, grease and organic waste.
“The process neutralises bad smells within 48 hours of treatment and increases dissolved oxygen content, therefore reducing the need for aerators and skimmers.”
“Bioremediation aids the unblocking of agitators, digestors and effluent lines and will reduce the heavy strain on the current infrastructure and maintenance costs,” Humphreys said.
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