Water purification plant is being tested

The pumps were built over the old shaft, which is still slightly visible.

The water purification plant, where acid mine water is treated, will be completed in August.

The acid mine water is pumped from the mine with lime and this neutralised water is discharged into Blesbokspruit.

Sophia Tlale, environmental manager of Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), the company that is responsible for the AMD plant, says about 30 employees, mostly with specialised skills, will work at the plant once it becomes operational.

About hiring local labour once the plant becomes operational, she says the department of water and sanitation, that will eventually be responsible for the plant’s operation and maintenance, still has to appoint the operator of the operation phase.

Tlale says the drinkable water that the Minister of Water and Sanitation recently talked about is for the next phase of the AMD project, independent from the current Short Term Intervention.

“The environmental impact assessment and the designs for that phase would still need to be done before it get to implementation,” she adds.

Ward councillor Ramesh Sheodin, visited the plant on Friday to see the progress.

He was amazed by the project and claims it requires specialised expertise.

“I am grateful that the equipment that has been installed will clean up the acid water that is flowing close to the surface,” he says.

Springs is now relatively safe from acid mine water polluting our streams and drinking water.

From what Sheodin has seen and heard from the tour guide, the water is released into Blesbokspruit after the poisonous substances have been removed.

This project’s consultation process began many years ago but has now reached its completion stage.

“Well done to the companies and employees,” he adds.