These alarming facts were revealed during a meeting of Parliament’s Environmental Affairs Oversight Committee last week.
According to Cor de Boer of the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus), three of Johannesburg’s wastewater treatment plants that are not functioning properly are responsible for the daily discharge of untreated sewage into river systems that eventually feed the dam.
“Because Johannesburg is situated on a watershed, untreated sewage is carried southwards via the Klip River, while the bulk flows northwards via the Jukskei River before entering the Hartbeespoort Dam,” said De Boer.
He said that, apart from severe maintenance backlogs, six wastewater treatment plants in Johannesburg no longer have the capacity to process the growing volume of sewage generated by the city.
“The Managing Director of Johannesburg Water, Nishavheni Mukwevho, assured the committee that the maintenance backlog would be addressed as a matter of urgency. The Freedom Front Plus will continue exposing the serious and illegal pollution while holding the relevant departments and officials accountable,” said De Boer.
“It is unacceptable that Johannesburg’s sewage crisis is contaminating the environment and water resources in neighbouring municipalities.”
