WATCH: Community raises the alarm about contamination of Bartlett spruit

The Boksburg Advertiser has received numerous complaints about the water that is polluted.

6 hours ago

Tayla Smit 2 minutes read

Community members are concerned about what appears to be a chemical spill in the stream along Dr Vosloo Drive in Bartlett.

Residents and staff in the vicinity of Frik de Jager Park which borders Bartlett and Bardene, have raised the alarm on what appears to be a chemical spill into the spruit.

The contamination has residents in and around Leith Road, Dr Vosloo Drive and Arnold Avenue and businesses in the area in an uproar.

The Boksburg Advertiser visited the site on October 14 and noted that the water was black, as reported by several people.

An employee of a business in the area, Nastasia van Rooyen (marketing director Jasper Consultants), said they noticed the colour of the water becoming darker on October 7 and there was a putrid stench in the air.

She said their biggest concern is the health implications.

“There is a school in the vicinity and the children have access to this stream. Fish have died and other birdlife, such as the blue cranes, have been affected. Furthermore, this stream flows into Homestead Dam in Benoni, which is used for recreational purposes.”

According to Van Rooyen, reporting on the matter to all stakeholders has not resulted in action being taken.

“We have contacted the ward councillor, Simon Lapping, other ward councillors in the vicinity, the City of Ekurhuleni and the mayoral office,” she said.

The Advertiser was also informed that a resident started a petition regarding the issue (https://www.change.org/p/demand-immediate-action-to-stop-the-toxic-spill-into-boksburg-protected-wetlands).

Ward 17 Clr Simon Lapping told the Advertiser said this issue has been referred to the CoE’s HOD of water and sanitation.

“They have responded that it is not a sewerage leak but a chemical spill. I don’t know where it is coming from, it is the responsibility of the CoE to ascertain the source.”

Lapping said he is disappointed that the municipality has failed to provide any sort of feedback about this unacceptable situation.

Nastasia van Rooyen, a marketing director from Jasper Consultants, expressed her concerns over the contaminated water.

The Boksburg Advertiser received numerous complaints about what appears to be a chemical spill in the stream along Dr Vosloo Drive.

Resident Elaine Martins sent the Advertiser this photo of water collected from the spruit on October 11. They collected these water samples to send for testing as the municipality is taking too long to get this done and said the test can take weeks to months before the results will be available. This spruit runs through the property of Woodlands International College, a school for grades one to 12. “What a hazard!” she said.

“Any form of environmental contamination is a contravention of the constitution, therefore, I believe the municipality needs to account for what process they are following to remedy the situation.”

He added that councillors are not technical engineers but ‘creatures of statute’ that conduct oversight of council departments.

“As I am part of the legislative process. I may not comment on behalf of the municipality as I do not have the delegated authority to do so,” he said.

This is a developing story as the Advertiser is awaiting comment from several stakeholders, including the City of Ekurhuleni.

Also Read: WATCH: Residents sick of persistent sewage spill