Wetland harmed- 18 February 2014
BLUE HILLS – PANIC struck when it was found that the normal operations of the Sommerset Pump Station were disrupted and sewage spilled into the wetland.
Wetlands in Crisis chairperson Paul Fairall said the pump station was a cause of contention for the conservancy
since it was first built
around nine years ago in the centre of the wetland which flows through Blue Hills, Sun Valley, Beaulieu Extension 8, Inanda Country Base and Cluny Farm.
He was one of the many people who fought against the wetland, and he still remembers his anger when city council opened it.
He was not surprised to hear that the pump station had spilled sewage into the wetland, believing it to be a common occurrence, as found by chairperson of the Greater Kyalami Conservancy Kristin Kallesen on 7 February. Kallesen swiftly contacted Joburg Water and they were fast on scene but the damage was mostly done.
Kallesen said, “Raw sewage has been flowing continuously into the wetland at the Sommerset Pump Station off Tamboti Road in Blue Hills and has contaminated the water course. This may affect horses and livestock as well as wildlife using this as a water source.”