By Rorisang Modiba
- Deputy Minister Jack Bloom found sewage pollution, water leaks and shortages across Gauteng during a series of August inspections.
- He met a Ratanda woman who says sewage has entered her home for more than 40 years, and found eThekwini has around 13,000 water leaks.
Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation Jack Bloom has raised alarm over water shortages, sewage spills and pollution across Gauteng, after a series of inspections and community visits in August.
In Ratanda, near Heidelberg, Bloom found a sewage spill that had formed what he called a “poo lake,” flowing into the Blesbokspruit and eventually into the Vaal River. There, he met Primrose Thokwane, who he said has been dealing with sewage entering her home for more than 40 years.
In Lenasia South, residents have faced severe water shortages for years, despite R45 million being spent on a reservoir. Bloom found three major leaks during his visit, describing the situation as one where residents had “more water outside their houses than inside.”
In Industria West, Johannesburg, Bloom said he found a company allegedly discharging paint into a waterway in Bosmont. At the Bosmont Football Club, residents and stakeholders showed him how pollution in the Bosmont Spruit has affected nearby sports fields, schools, homes and churches.
The Vaal River remains a major concern, with sewage spills across Emfuleni creating health risks and damaging tourism and local business. Bloom said he had convened an urgent meeting to ensure all 47 pump stations in the area are fully staffed before a Special Purpose Vehicle takes over operations in December, which he said would bring additional skills and funding to fix infrastructure backlogs and modernise the sewerage system.
Bloom also visited eThekwini over two days, where he said many residents have gone years without reliable tap water, and the city is dealing with around 13,000 leaks. In Verulam, he heard complaints about water tankers and dirty Jojo tanks, and inspected a sewage spill near the Amanzimtoti Golf Club. He said stronger enforcement is needed to ensure municipalities comply with directives to fix water and sanitation failures.
He pointed to the Veolia Water Recycling Project at Merebank, which processes 47.5 million litres of water a day for industry, as an example of how public-private partnerships could free up more water for residents.
In Bronkhorstspruit, Bloom said dredging the river could help ease water shortages affecting residents in Bronkhorstspruit, Zithobeni, Rethabiseng and Ekangala. Dredging means digging out mud and dirt that has built up at the bottom of a river, making it deeper so it can hold more water.
Bloom warned that Gauteng faces even greater pressure as South Africa heads into a hot, dry summer, with water already being lost through pollution and leaking infrastructure. He said Gauteng loses almost as much water each year through leaks and pollution as the entire Western Cape uses annually.
Bloom said he would continue visiting communities and engaging municipalities, and would pursue criminal charges where necessary against those responsible for serious sewage and pollution failures. He urged residents and businesses to use water responsibly as part of his “Water Wise” campaign.
Pictured above:Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation Jack Bloom has raised alarm over water shortages, sewage spills and pollution across Gauteng.
Image source: Supplied
