Cause for concern as Florida Lake’s water is tested
Florida South Resident Association test the Florida Lake water as part of water testing week.
As part of the annual World Water Monitoring Week (September 16–20), the Florida South Residents Association (FSRA) conducted a crucial water test at Florida Lake’s bird island on September 18.
According to FSRA chairperson Rodney Churchyard, the initiative aimed to investigate the recent decline in bird populations and dropping water levels.
A team of three members, including the Roodepoort Record, was present and collected the water samples.
• Also read: No clarity on dead birds yet
Most of the results revealed mostly safe parameters, but two tests raised concerns, indicating potential bacterial contamination (possibly from sewerage) in the water, and the presence of a known cancer-causing agent.
“We are not happy with the condition of the lake, especially regarding the sewerage issues. We know and identify most of these leaks that find their path to the lake, and it is worrying that some of these spills can take up to three days or more to repair and stop them from running into kerb inlets and then into the lake,” says Churchyard.
World Water Monitoring Week is run in South Africa by WaterCAN, a division of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) and it aims to encourage citizens to monitor water quality, which will foster transparency and collaboration in addressing the country’s water challenges and ensuring access to clean and safe water for all.
The annual water testing week also serves as a reminder of the importance of monitoring and preserving our water resources.
“FSRA joined hands with the WaterCAN project, and they will be supplying us with all the testing kits to do more frequent testing during the year,” says Churchyard.
