The contamination generated by the Percy Stewart Waste Water Treatment Works (PSWWTW) has been covered extensively in recent Krugersdorp News reports, but what risks does this pollution pose to the greater community?
On April 26, water specialist Quintin Paulse said, “A major issue of concern on the West Rand is the contamination of water resources in the vicinity of the Cradle of Humankind, the latter which can be directly attributed to the malfunction of water waste treatments.”
• Also read: Pollution in the Cradle raises international eyebrows
On May 27, the News also reported about a child who resides in the Cradle of Humankind who was hospitalised because the family suspected he drank water polluted by the non-functioning waterworks.
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But what diseases are present in the water due to the raw sewage flowing directly out of Percy into local river systems?
According to the Acid Mine Drainage Monitoring Forum spokesperson, Trevor Brough, the local rivers affected by the sewage have every disease from A-Z, due to the scale of the pollution.
WaterCAN, an environmental organisation dedicated and committed to protecting and preserving South Africa’s water resources, announced on its official website how they did a test on the water quality on one of the affected rivers near the PSWWTW last month.
The test revealed the water is dark grey and unable to see through in the rivers and that there is gassing taking place. The quality indicator also showed the water is unsafe, phosphates in the water are high, and possible faecal matter is present in the water together with possible E.coli and coliform traces in the rivers.
Tests even concluded that dams and tap water in the area are unsafe. The dam water’s quality shows traces of possible faecal matter and coliform. The tap water also tested unsafe, with high chlorine levels and possible faecal matter present.
The owner of a local trout farm, David Bain, said his trout died about eight months ago, and now everything is dying.
“Fish like carp and catfish are bottom feeders, and can easily live in dirty water, and now they are also starting to die. There is no more water, there is just a stream of pure excrement running through our farm, the water is pitch black and poisonous to everything and everyone,” Bain said.
The News approached Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) for comment on the quality of the water in the area.
MCLM communications officer Adrian Amod said efforts to improve the effluent treatment ability and resolve water pollution challenges are prioritised and underway.
“The effluent quality will improve over time, where MCLM highlights those unhealthy activities such as washing, bathing as well as human and animal defecation into rivers and streams do also contribute to higher E.coli counts.
“The consumption of natural sources of water is always discouraged as this leads to waterborne diseases such as Cholera, Typhoid fever and Gastroenteritis among others. Furthermore, residents need to avoid recreational and religious activities such as swimming, water paddling sports, and/ or baptising in these rivers temporarily until further notice,” Amod said.
“The municipality would also like to clear potential confusion that the sewer spillage does not affect our drinking water as the water systems and sources are different. Our drinking water which comes from Rand Water is purified through extensive treatment processes, while the municipality also tests our water weekly – thus, making it safe to drink,” he added.
About the progress of getting all systems to go at PSWWTW, the municipality has appointed a service provider on a turnkey basis to commence the required phased work.
“Phased one of the work will focus on fully securing the property site to prevent theft and vandalism of the said wastewater treatment plant/ infrastructure. The construction period for phase one is expected to be less than four months and will include the installation of high electrified security perimeter fence, CCTV cameras, a security control room and a dedicated backup generator. The contractor is expected to take the site and immediately commence work by the end of next week. For phase two, the City will focus on reinvesting towards infrastructure refurbishment to bring the PSWWTW back to its functional state. The commencement of phase two will depend on the progress of phase one, however, the overall construction period for phase two will be less than six months,” he added.
“Although MCLM is facing budget constraints and high criminality around the areas, the commitment to bringing PSWWTW back to functionality by the end of June 2025 remains,” Amod concluded.
