Foam spotted in water

White foam is being pumped into a R'fontein stream.

Moses Dunga crosses the stream to get his cows to move away from the water during the Herald's first visit to the stream last month.

Randfontein’s water seemingly has been under attack in recent months and this is not the first time as the same has happened in previous years.

The last stream the Herald visited was the infamous Greenhills stream of which the colour changed, the fish died and had sewage leaking into it.

Last month the Herald visited another problematic stream which has been identified that is smelly and has an odd appearance. This stream is just across the road from the sewage farm in Elandsvlei.

Upstream from the bridge it smells of sewage and there are layers of slime on the banks without a sign of fish in the water.

Downstream from the bridge a pipe pours large volumes of foam into the stream and also smells of sewage. Approximately an hour after the Herald‘s initial visit to the site, the foam had increased notably.

Moses guiding his cattle across and away from the stream of foam during the Herald’s first visit to the stream last month.

The Herald has since revisited the steam on request of two residents near the area who complained about a stink near the water. Upon investigation, the water coming from the same large pipe where foam was being pumped into the stream was now a brownish grey colour with traces of foam in it.

Cattle regularly drink the water and graze near the banks. Moses Dunga, a shepherd passing by when the Herald first visited, said one of his cows had died as a result of drinking water from both the infamous Greenhills stream and this foamy stream. He said another cow that also drank the water become ill but later recovered.

Tshidiso Tlharipe, spokesperson for the Randfontein Executive Mayor has since released a statement in which he said the stream water is not for drinking purposes.

The foam the second time the Herald visited the stream last month.

Want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us an SMS/ WhatsApp message with your name and cellphone number to 079 413 8726.

Familiarise yourself with our WhatsApp service disclaimer.

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.

Also read:

SHOCKING: Enough to make you sick

Town’s streets are full of it

VIDEO: R’fontein’s stinky situation continues

Sewage ruins house

Shocking sewage woes in Riebeeck

For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Roodepoort Record, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine

Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!