Community forum clears blocked stormwater channel in Moreleta Park
The channel was funnelling water with waste and pollutants which were harmful to species in the Morelata Spruit
The blocked and eroded Garsfontein Road stormwater channel was cleared last week on Thursday, June 27 in an effort to stop the contamination of Moreleta Spruit.
The stormwater channel was channeling water with waste and pollutants, which were harmful to species in the Morelata Spruit, according to the Pretoria East Community Caring Forum (CCF).
Founding director of the CCF, Deirdré van Helsdingen, said cleaning up during the dry season is necessary so that when the rainy season commences, the pipes are free of rubbish.
“The channel was blocked and had rubbish inside which come in contact with the water that directly flows [into] the Moreleta Spruit and causes contamination.”
Van Helsdingen said the area was eroded by the illegal parking of taxis as well as buses.
She added that the CCF could not clear the blocked stormwater channel that runs underneath Rubenstein Drive.
Special machinery is needed to unblock that storm water channel.
She said the drain contains piles of sand and other waste which makes clearing difficult.
“Unfortunately, we could not get into the pipe as it is unsafe and we need special equipment to take out the sand. We are working to obtain quotations to hire the machine,” she said.
Van Helsdingen said they need to get a dredger machine in order to unblock the stormwater channel that goes under Rubenstein Drive.
She said in the last week of June, the CCF also embarked on a clean-up on the corner of Paul and Wekker streets.
Van Helsdingen said the CCF was cleaning up the pavement to ensure pedestrian safety as well.
“This was also to beautify our area and in preparation for spring season.”
She said the clean-up initiative entailed cutting overgrown grass to make manholes and fire hydrants visible.
“We used soil from the ‘White House’ as a topsoil in preparation for Spring.”
The CCF paid for the hire of machinery out of its own pocket as well as from community donations to continue taking care of Morelata Park and surrounding areas.
Also read: City acts to clean Wierda road dumping headache
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