On 23 October 2024 the Farmall WhatsApp community group was lively again over the dumping of chemicals into the river from Cosmo. “There was a chap in the bridge who took water tests. He said: the ph. was around 9, copper sulphate will make the water blue yes but slightly more acidic,” a Farmall resident said. “If you walk down Jackson and then through the bush at the bottom of Cosmo Business Park in the area that was set aside as an environmental area for the bullfrogs you will see the sewerage pipe overflowing into the river. There is a chemical smell,” Farmall veteran resident. “Can we get pictures and evidence of that. A video,” responded another resident. To which a resident agreeably replied, “I will see if I can get a brave person to walk with me.”
Many residents of Farmall will tell you that over time they have watched how the landscape has vastly changed since their arrival. From Kya Sands, Cosmo City, the Lion Pride Extension Township Development massive construction over what used to be the Lion Park; the KwickBuild Cement Factory on the River and various large and noisy heavy Industrial companies like Moret Mining moving into a supposed light Industrial Business area in Mostyn Park next to Farmall Extension all contributing factors to ecological degradation of the area.
“The state and conditions of Waste
Water Treatment in Mogale City was discussed last week, the amount of raw
effluent being pumped into the rivers is frightening…they are killing
every living organism and destroying the ecosystem, let alone polluting our
dams! When will it end!”
added another resident.
It
was on 25 October 2024, a couple of days later, along with other willing
residents hiked to the potential environmental crime scene and we took pictures
and video footage to report back to the community. As we hiked through the bushy country back
roads along and behind Cosmo Business Park from Jackson Rd on that sweltering
summer mid-morning, the warmth was suddenly eclipsed by a far more potent
force: the stench of sewage. The
stormwater drains that we saw along the path, once harmless fixtures, had
transformed either into toxic mouths, spewing forth a noxious cloud that
wrapped around us or some were
completely dry, meaning they were blocked, and water was no longer passing
through them. The smell is nauseating.
It was as if the very fabric of the area had been torn apart, revealing
a festering wound. It is important to
highlight that on the previous two nights quite a substantial meterage of Eskom
cables was stolen for the umpteenth time along Jackson Rd, and Cosmo Business
Park.
As
we walked along the area that is designated as an eco-park that was set aside
as an environmental area for the bullfrogs, we saw a river contaminated not
only sewage but litter as well. There
also appeared to be a man in the middle of the river on a bank whom upon inquiring why he was putting
his life at risk by being inside the dirty water, he said he does it for
livelihood –
digging up for river sand. He is
aware of the health risks but it’s not enough to deter
him from putting himself in harm’s way.
Further along the riverbank,
we see discarded cables, after copper stripping. This can have significant environmental
impacts as cables contain insulation materials like PVC, rubber and plastic as
well as heavy metals like lead, mercury, which can leach toxic chemicals into soil and water. Discarded cables can also alter soil
composition, affecting plant growth and microbial activity. If a veld fire was to suddenly break out it
increases the chances of PVC pollution which releases harmful dioxins and
furans when burned or degraded. The
health risks are equally catastrophic.
As we walked along the boundary fence
behind Cosmo Business Park, we saw weep holes in retaining masonry wall with
staining/spillage marks and creeping plant/vines leaves covering parts of the
iron wire and electric fences, we pondered on what they are for, especially as
the track covered storm drainage pipes protruding on the surface of the
ground. However, upon further inspection
of the storm drainages, it looked dry indicating that there might be blockage
and thereby being rendered ineffective in reducing water buildup.
We captured what we could that day as
we also were advised that it is not safe for us (ladies) to walk down this path
without security escort, and so towards the end of our short hike, we were
escorted out by one of the Security personnel and lead sub-contractors who
happened to be onsite. The lead
sub-contractor indicated that they are assessing a quotation to unblock storm
drainage system amongst other safety and security measures.
In conclusion, sewage contamination of the ground and water poses significant environmental, health and safety risks. The purpose of this feedback report is to promote public awareness and educate communities about the environmental impacts of contamination of water and rivers; discarded and illegal dumping of cables and plastics and the cost implications of non-sustainable; eco-friendly water and waste management systems on residents.
Video
References:
1. Jackson
Rd - Sewage spillage increasing risk of groundwater pollution
2. Behind Cosmo Business Park – Contaminate water upstream
3. Main Sewage Pipe – Stolen Eskom cables stripped of copper and littered on the ground
