We residents living along the Moganwe River which flows into the Hartebeesport Dam [in the vicinity of Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa] have for some time noticed a deterioration of the already polluted water in our river. It was only when we realised that we no longer had any animal life - not a crab, not a fish, not an otter, not a leguan, not even a frog - that we contacted the (South African) Department of Water Affairs.
The Department of Water Affairs came to inspect immediately. This fast reaction was due to the fact that an investigation had already been started by Robin & Tosca Vorster of Hakahana Ranch [a neighboring farm].
Atomic Energy Corporation
Other concerned residents tolds us of streams that came from the Atomic Energy Corporation which passed under the main road and joined the Moganwe River. Water samples were taken and an unacceptably high PH of 12.5 was registered. The fluoride content was so high that Water Affairs tested some local boreholes to check if this dangerous level of pollutant had seeped into our drinking water. Although Water Affairs declined to give us the reports on the boreholes, the borehole water is apparently in order.
According to accounts related to us by residents, it appears that the "back door" effluenting by Atomic Energy Corporation has possibly been occurring since the late 1970's.
South African Defence Force
Battalion 115, situated next to Hakahana Ranch, increased its complement of men and the existing sewage system simply could not cope. Hakahana has a borehole which is polluted beyond human use. To make matters even worse, Hakahana had raw human faeces along the river bank! Water Affairs was horrified. This situation must be corrected immediately.
After much negotiation, however, it appears that Battalion 115 may be moving in perhaps three months time. According to Water Affairs, if the Battalion does not move in that period of time, Water Affairs will THEN ask them to do something to clean up the pollution. In the mean time, the official position is that it is unreasonable to expect them to spend money on correcting the problem.
At Battalion 115 there is a tanker expressly there for the purpose of removing sewage if it becomes necessary. Unfortunately, due to the high security fence around the property, the tanker cannot fit through the gates. So the tanker sits imprisoned inside and the sewage is freely discharged on the ground. When the rains come, who knows what will happen!
Attridgeville
Attridgeville is another major source of pollution. For years now there have been ongoing problems with the sewage plant pumps. When the pump is down (which appears to happen with monotonous regularity) the grids block up with what Water Affairs euphemistically calls SOLIDS. These SOLIDS then rise due to the blockage and run down a manhole (which was created purely for this emergency) and straight into the Moganwe River.
The officials concerned feel it is highly unlikely that this has been occurring for some years. However, we now have in our possession a number of letters dating back to 1988 complaining of exactly this problem. Some of these letters complain of the problem happening for nearly 18 months previous to the date on the letter. Thus it would appear that massive sewage pollution of this river system has possibly been occurring since 1986.
Water Affairs has had meetings with both Attridgeville and Pretoria municipalities to try to monitor the situation and to try to arrange finance from the Regional Service Council to install new pumps.
