City gives recommendations regarding Elsburg dam
"Water quality samples will be collected and analysed to ascertain the source of pollution that is likely to be the source of the foul smell."
City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said a site inspection was conducted by the Environmental Resource and Waste Management Department on January 18.
He said on the issue of the overgrown grass, the park was in the process of being cut. On the issue of overgrown reeds he said they can maintain it in winter.
“The dam is fully surrounded by reeds. The reeds play a very important ecological role in wetlands by filtering pollutants from the water.
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“In addition, they provide habitat to many bird species and other animals. However, they need to be maintained so that there is a balance between the services they provide to the ecosystem as well as the level of infestation.
The reeds are best managed in winter when there is no growth and accessibility to the water body is easiest,” said Dlamini.
He said the team detected not foul smell from the water.
“However, poor water quality from sewage spillages into the dam was identified as one of the main challenges.
“Water quality samples will be collected and analysed to ascertain the source of pollution that is likely to be the source of the foul smell,” said Dlamini.
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He said they have also discovered that there is an issue with the flow of water into the dam.
“The dam has a weir that was meant to regulate the water going out of the dam. It was observed that water is now permanently seeping at the base of the structure and not flowing over as was envisaged.
“This may lead to less water collecting in the dam and creates conducive conditions for the reeds to thrive,” said Dlamini.
He said some recommendations have been made by the team. They are:
• An environmental management plan for the site will be developed as part of the maintaining the reeds. The plan will identify the different species and recommend a management activities and timeframes going forward.
• Further investigations regarding the source of the foul smell will be undertaken. This should include analyses of water quality samples in the dam so that a proper intervention is implemented.
• The outflow weir needs to be repaired to ensure the water does not continuously seep through.
