Raw sewage dumped in dam

There is reason to believe that raw sewage is being pumped into the Wonderfontein Spruit below the Donaldson Dam.

The issue was brought to light recently by concerned residents and upon investigating, the herald found that the dam indeed is being polluted by all kinds of rubbish.

According to Westonaria’s DA public representative councillor Colin Turner “This has been going on for some time. Local farmers even use the contaminated water to irrigate their crops, unaware of the stinking mess.”

“For at least two months the Westonaria Local Municipality has allowed millions of litres of raw sewage from Bekkersdal to flow into the Wonderfontein Spruit just below the Donaldson Dam. It is a health hazard in every way and will result in people getting ill if they consume the contaminated water.

“The municipality also is ignoring the overflowing sewerage manholes in Westonaria, which also find its way into the dam and into this watercourse.”

This effluent, together with the water flowing from the Donaldson Dam is said to flow through a large-diameter pipe across the geological compartments and is decanted west of Merafong, eventually flowing into the Boskop Dam near Potchefstroom.

According to Turner, “Boskop Dam is a well-known water sport and recreational dam and is a source of drinking water.

“It is general knowledge among those who care about the future of our country that water is a precious and scarce resource that has to be conserved.

“It is an absolute disgrace that municipalities are allowed to dump raw sewage into the water courses of our beautiful country, which results in illness and often the death of innocent people,” says Turner. He adds that this is yet another manifestation of the failure of the ANC-led local government in most of South Africa due to mismanagement by incompetent people.

Meanwhile, the herald has contacted both the Westonaria Local Municipality spokesperson Kgabane Madiehe and the West Rand District Municipality spokesperson Dennis Mangope who say they will consult with the relevant departments and will revert back with comment at a later stage.

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