Nyl river contaminated due to spillage

MODIMOLLE – A tanker from Isando in Johannesburg containing 28 000L of sulfuric acid on its way to Zimbabwe overturned on Saturday in Thabo Mbeki Drive, Modimolle.
According to Jacques Smalle, DA leader Limpopo, due to the negligence, sulfuric acid spilled into the Nylriver.
It has already been determined by environmental specialists after testing the water, that the sulfuric acid has contaminated a 2km radius of Nylriver.

A clean-up operation is underway, five tons of lime water has already been added to the river water to neutralise the acid.
Residents are advised not to drink the water from the Nylriver and farmers should not use the water for crops or livestock.
Mokopane’s  water is  supplied from the Doorndraai Dam.

According to a press release by Langa Bodlani MPL, DA Limpopo spokesperson, the district and local municipalities involved in the acid spillage into the Nyl River have still not issued a formal warning to all affected areas.

The river water feeds seven municipal boreholes used by farming communities in the area. When an official from the municipalities’ disaster centre was contacted on Saturday, his response on a sms seen by the DA was “what does this crises have to do with me?”  After showing up 4 hours late, fire officials swept the highly toxic acid into the river.

According to a press release, the Department of Water & Sanitation (DWS), a Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement (CME) Unit has already since yesterday been in Modimolle and have set up a disaster team on site.

The pollution has as such been contained whilst further investigations into the disaster are underway.

 
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