FRUSTRATED over the ongoing pollution issue of the canals at Bluff National Golf Park, environmental representatives have resorted to old-school do-it-yourself methods to assist with trapping dirt.
While vandalism of the local pump stations has been linked to the continuous problem of sewage and pollution overflow at canals intertwining inside the golf course, a wetland conservation area, the park’s environmental representative, Trish Barras, said the issue needs to become a public concern.
“The water system is an ongoing problem that I cannot see being resolved in the very near future. The public needs to become aware of the importance of keeping our water clean. When we had no water, everyone complained, but nobody wants to take responsibility for keeping areas clean.
“The plastic and dirt that is thrown out of cars land in our water. We have to stress that we, the public, have to take control. We are not getting help from the government with regards to the ongoing issues at the canal. We have to do what it takes,” said Barras.
Along with a few volunteers, Barras has been adapting her own methods of keeping pollution out of the canals.
She filled empty plastic bottles with water and attached it to the end of a large mesh cloth. Tying strings to either end of the make-shift sieve, Barras managed to anchor the cloth to pipes on either side of the canal.
“The idea was to stop the dirt from flowing all the way down to the bottom of the canal and away from the ponds, where we have a variety of ducks, bird life, and fish. We sent out a plea for volunteers and a few pitched up. Those who cannot physically help us clean the canal can donate funds for someone else to do it.
“We are begging people to be more aware of the consequences of littering, illegal dumping and pollution and are reminding them to take responsibility for their garbage. The biggest mistake a man can make is to believe someone else will do it,” Barras added.
Ward 66 councillor, Zoë Solomon, said she was aware that Barras was working tirelessly with only a few volunteers to rid the canal of litter.
“Two trash traps were fitted by the city and still, the plastic waste finds its way through. There is now a handmade boom placed across the canal further up and it catches the excess litter. There is now an appeal to get it out and dumped. Barras has indicated that the boom is so successful that two or three more will be installed further up the canal,” Solomon said
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