AfriForum’s Nigel branch on 10 and 22 January tested three sewage outlets in the town. Two water samples were taken from free-flowing water streams in informal settlements, while a third sample was taken from the Blesbokspruit where raw sewage from the Bigley sewage plant is flowing freely into the stream. The branch conducted these tests after various community members complained about the unbearable stench of the stream.
“We established that the sewage levels in the stream did not adhere to minimum requirements. The water tested positive for faecal coliforms, E. coli, nitrates and phosphates, of which the concentration was not within set standards,” says Marie Naude, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for Gauteng.
AfriForum will ensure that the pollution is addressed by sending a letter of demand to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality to demand that the problem be resolved within 48 hours.
“We will have to give attention to sewage plants. We cannot allow unfit municipal officers to pollute our water resources,” says Neels Toerien, Chairperson of AfriForum’s Nigel branch.
Give AfriForum the mandate to continuously monitor water quality: SMS “Nigel” to 45342 (R1) to support this action.