Apiesrivier water quality/Rooiwal Sewage works

The community of Apiesrivier area demands action from the Tshwane Metropolitan Council to resolve water pollution concerns related to the Rooiwal sewage works

For years the Apiesrivier community have been impacted by the deterioration of the water quality of the Apiesrivier system downstream of the Rooiwal Sewage works, and people, animals and the water ecology have been negatively affected. Various water samples have been analysed over the years, and all indicated the presence of dangerous levels of E.Coli and other sewage related pollutants. The water samples were submitted to the responsible officials of the Tshwane Metropolitan Council and several Court actions were launched during which the accountability and responsibility of the Council were confirmed. To date, the Tshwane Metropolitan Council have however failed to remedy the situation.

We believe that the treatment facilities at the Rooiwal Sewerage Treatment Plant are no longer efficient or in a workable state and that the failure of the Tshwane Metropolitan Council to reinstate the treatment works to a safe, efficient and operating condition is responsible for the current situation. The stakeholders in the area experience the following:

·         Bad smell in surrounding areas

·         Outbreaks of flies and midges

·         Excessive sludge build up in Apiesrivier

·         Ground water pollution

·         Sludge deposits on irrigated commercial crops.

·         Skin infections on animals and humans that are in contact with Apiesrivier water

·         Animal health risk when drinking water polluted water

·         Regional agriculture and the current and future production of commercial crops are endangered

·         Water irrigated vegetables cannot be sent to market due to the health risk

·         Air pollution arising from the burning of “dry sludge”

The consequences include:

·         Residents and businesses in the area have suffered substantial financial losses.

·         Regional economic activity has been adversely affected.

·         The health of people and animals in the area is under threat as several fly and midge borne disease are not controlled.

·         The environment and several endangered wild animals and plant species are under threat.

·         Property prices are adversely affected.

I, the undersigned hereby support the above petition and urge Tshwane Metropolitan Council to rectify the situation with immediate effect. 

Apiesrivier - Afriforum    Contact the author of the petition