Man spotted bathing in dam
EMMARENTIA – A man bathing in Emmarentia Dam has evoked some concern, not only for his safety but also because it is a possible health hazard.
A man was spotted bathing in the Emmarentia Dam on 18 May.
This has evoked concern from Ward councillor Patricia Brugman-Richards and the Emmarentia Residents Association.
“These vagrants shouldn’t be sleeping out in the cold. It is not safe for them and there are also higher chances of pollution at the dam, and it is also not good for other people to see someone bathing out in the open – especially children,” said Brugman-Richards.
According to Brugman-Richards, the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) has no sustainable policy of what can be done to ensure that vagrants get places to stay.
“We often take vagrants to places of safety but there are not enough of these places. Sometimes once they are taken there, they come back to the open areas where they can make some sort of money.”
Facebook user Lara Meter on the “I love Emmarentia” page said: “Poor guy, imagine how horrible, not to have your own bathroom, especially in winter”.
Another user Kelly Norwood-Young said: “So sad. Makes me feel very grateful for what I have”.
Chairperson of the Emmarentia Residents Association Wolfgang Phoenix said the association is aware of vagrants living near Louw Geldenhuys Drive adjacent the dam.
“It disturbs us greatly that vagrants are living in the waterways,” he said.
Phoenix is worried because human and animal faeces may pollute ground and surface water, including streams, rivers and lakes.
According to Phoenix, the last E.coli measurement in Emmarentia Dam, which was tested by the City, found that it was above 400.
“Anything above 300 is unacceptable. It is a real risk of contamination and that’s why we don’t want people bathing in waterways.
“We don’t know what the City of Joburg is doing to rectify the problem. We are trying to look for solutions and all residents with ideas on how we can combat this situation, should come forward.”
City Parks is yet to respond to questions regarding the matter.
Details: Patricia Brugman-Richards 082 569 4452; Wolfgang Phoenix chairperson@emmarentia.co.za
