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The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes that there are sustainable and more affordable water treatment methods than the conventional chlorine-dominated methods being used.

We therefore invited a water treatment expert, Rodney Genricks, to address local DA councillors and the DA Environmental Resource and Waste Management oversight committee members in the City of Ekurhuleni this past World Water Day.

The Alberton Dam area and its wildlife inhabitants have been suffering from systemic pollution for years with little care or concern from the City of Ekurhuleni. Visible sewerage overflows while litter and industrial waste flows into this dam through the stormwater and sewer systems.

Mr Genricks has put forward how the existing water weir system can be utilised to stop polluted water from reaching the dam and how alternative water treatment options can break down the sludge and pollutants in while treating the discharged wastewater flowing into the dam.

Importantly, companies surrounding the dam need to be educated on their water discharge systems and the Environmental Management Inspectorate of the city needs to clamp down on those who continue to illegally dump into the dam. By doing the right thing these companies will save Thousands of Rands on needless penalties and help to rescue our natural water systems.

The DA will be writing to the Water Quality division of the City to have water samples tested and will be driving a campaign to help the companies implement sustainable water treatment systems to treat their wastewater before it leaves their premises.

We can and must work together to protect our water sources.

Issued by Cllr Tiaan Kotzé - DA Ekurhuleni Spokesperson on Environmental Resource and Waste Management