Joint action needed over dammed-up water

The traffic flow into Khutsong has been disrupted since February, when a part of the only access road to Extension 1, 2 and 3, commonly known as “Old Khutsong”, collapsed. This road runs over a bridge over the Wonderfonteinspruit. The problem occurred because a vast amount of water had dammed up too high against the bridge for some time.
Meanwhile, residents of the Welverdiend area fear the same will happen to the bridge between the town and the N14.
Even more water has dammed up against this bridge and has formed a large wetland north of Welverdiend. Although bird lovers watch the flamingos and other unusual birds enjoying the extra water, the water has dammed up so high against this road that it can be seen from the road.
The Herald has tried to get answers from authorities on what will be done about the problems.
“Far West Rand Dolomite Water Association (FWRDWA) and the Wonderfonteinspruit Forum monitor the cleaning of the Wonderfonteinspruit,” was the only answer forthcoming from the municipality.
The chairperson of the FWRDWA, Mr Frik du Preez, says the organisation held a meeting with the Department of Water Affairs and gave them a presentation about the matter on 27 March.
Although the FWRDWA had cleaned under the two bridges until approximately the late 1980s, the situation has changed significantly. Historic Google Earth satellite images show how the water that has accumulated against the bridges has drastically increased since the Khutsong South extensions were built. The reason for this is that more sewerage issues have occurred since then.
The sewage leaking into the Wonderfonteinspruit, especially during recent years, has caused overgrowth of the reeds in the river, trapping the water.
“There would be no use in us clearing the reeds; they would return within a few months because of all the sewage.
The next step would be a joint meeting between all the parties involved,” says Du Preez.