I was delighted to read about the developments around the Boksburg Lake but, just as quickly disappointed to read that the metro have budgeted for yet another study or survey to be undertaken on how to deal with the water quality.
Back in 2009, Unilever paid for a study, a doctoral thesis no less, on the Boksburg Lake.
This led to a solution being found for the water quality and the sludge, which has not even been considered.
Upgrading the lake facilities is equally as important as correcting the water quality, but it is the water quality which will attract people to use the lake area again.
The boathouse was fixed a good few years ago, at a cost of R4-million, yet the metro spends hundreds of thousands of ratepayers money each year on guarding it.
Why? After all, it’s not being used.
Would you use the boathouse that is close to a toxic body of water like the Boksburg Lake? That water can cause you harm.
I just wonder if this is to be the fate of the current construction and upgraded facilities, guarded, because nobody will want to use them?
I want to be positive here; again I am delighted by the upgrade, but would like to see the water being treated at the same time.
As reported before, there is a solution and it is not the solution of the metro which according to rumours, has appointed a contractor to drop the lake wall and drain the lake.
This is an option discussed by the Lake Forum many years ago, but all this does is move the problem further downstream to Cinderella Dam.
Then there is the toxic sludge which will still have to be moved — but moved where? Where ever you dump it will be cause for concern, and at what cost to truck it away?
We have been here before, so we are simply going around and around and around.
I have also heard that the catfish (barbel) that died in the lake, as published in the Advertiser, was due to the carp having some sort of illness and passing it on to the catfish.
Really? I am no fish expert, but again, really!
The Boksburg Lake Forum ran for over 11 years. It resulted in the dredger being bought and, of course, the doctoral thesis being sponsored by Unilever, not to mention Lake Days, which involved learners and educators from the schools in Boksburg.
To my knowledge, the metro has not spoken to or with anyone who served on the forum, despite the years of experience gained through the forum.
As residents of Boksburg and as ratepayers, all we want to see is progress without wasteful expenditure.
The blame game has worn thin and surely the metro is also tired of continually being criticised.
It is sad that we live in times where corruption is at an all-time high and I still have questions as to why the budgets allocated to various departments are not being spent.
One step forward, two steps back.
Dozens of fish die in lake, lack of oxygen cited
Boksburg Lake: it is time for residents to take matters into their own hands
Big improvements underway at Boksburg Lake
