150 Carps perish after sewage spill

Last week marked a pollution disaster with three areas reportedly having suffered from a sewage spill.

The spill led to 150 carp at Fourways Gardens perishing, and a security manager contracting E.Coli poisoning.

A blocked sewer at the south-eastern corner of William Nicol Drive and Witkoppen Road, opposite Fourways Mall, is believed to be the cause of the problem.

Joburg Water Spokesperson Millicent Kabwe said, “Joburg Water has managed to stop the overflowing sewer so that there is no more sewage going into the rivers that run through Fourways.”

She said Joburg Water was investigating the cause of the blockage and ongoing work was taking place to repair the problem and rehabilitate the affected dams.

According to Ashleigh Norris, spokesperson for Fourways Gardens, the estate reported eight sewage leaks during June and July.

By 9 July residents found fish floating in the Estate’s dam.

They were able to save 80 of the fish.

“Many residents came out to assist in the fish rescue. It was a great testament to community living,” Norris said.

According to her, the Security Manager, Jean du Toit, was assisting with the fish rescue and actually got some of the contaminated water in his eye. He was rushed to the doctor and treated for E.Coli poisoning.

They believe the leak near Fourways Mall was the cause of their woes with their dam being fed by water from the area.

“The water is still contaminated and is not suitable for kids or pets to play in,” Norris said.

Sewage was also seen leaking into the Klein Jukskei Spruit in Craigavon.

The stream runs between Fernbrook Estate and Waterford Estate in Craigavon and resident Stuart Spencer suspected that the sewage was coming from upstream but was not exactly sure where from.

He said the sewage had been in the river for nearly two months. Spencer said, “Our estate manager has contacted the Randburg Depot without much success, as we do not know the address of the source of the sewage.” It seems to be coming from the spruit area behind the Buzz shopping centre. There is a terrible stench as well as well as sludge deposit that has been left unattended for far too long now.”

This is not the first time sewage has floated in the spruit. Last year, Spencer reported that a sewerage pipe, held together with cloth, was leaking sewage into the stream.

At Broadacres distressed residents also spotted sewage at the wetlands.