Metro confirms pollution in Blesbokspruit

The Ekurhuleni metro has commented on the contamination accusations made by a local resident, confirming that the Blesbokspruit is polluted.

Tamuka Chivonivoni (43) became suspicious of the water after many of his cattle and fish started dying.

He claimed that a company in Welgedacht was washing its waste straight into the Blesbokspruit.

Tamuka alleged that the chemical found in the river was cyclohexene, which is insoluble in water. It is not very stable upon long-term storage with exposure to light and air because it forms peroxide.

Metro spokesman Themba Gadebe has commented on the allegations made by confirming that there was pollution found in the Blesbokspruit.

Themba says, “The Water Quality Section was informed about the incident on February 10 and the source of the pollution was identified. A notice was issued to immediately contain the pollution.”

Tamuka was not only concerned about the animals who potentially drank from the polluted water but also people who might consume the water.

Tamuka, who is a public health specialist, wanted immediate assistance from the metro as he felt the situation was too serious to ignore.

Themba says, “An instruction was issued to remove the containers with the pollutant from the site and to clean the storm water channel.”

The metro has reported the problem to the Department of Water and Sanitation.

“It was confirmed with follow-up inspections that the containers were removed from the site and a weigh bridge certificate was obtained to prove safe disposal of the containers. The storm water channel on the premises was sealed off to prevent further contamination and a clean-up is in progress.” says Themba.