Apies River declared a disaster area

The quality of the Apies River water has reached critical, according to a recent clean-up team.

On April 21 the stakeholders tested the river water quality of water from the river.

The partners used the mini stream assessment scoring system (miniSASS), a simple and accessible citizen science tool to monitor water quality and health of stream and river systems … to test water quality, clarity and velocity.

“According to the results, the quality is in a critical condition. We are at a stage where the water is in its worst state, it’s unbearable when we look at the amount of macroinvertebrates we found in the system.

“Also when you check the clarity, we found that there are a lot of pollutants that are getting in. That indicates to us that we have to go upstream and investigate the catchment to see what is happening. At Apies, at the bridge, the water is in critical condition,” said Mbiza.

The Tshwane metro, Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and the Environmental Warriors began clean-up operations of the Apies River from the bridge to Capital Park to Van Der Hoff Road in November after heavy rains that flooded the area.

DWS scientist Noloyiso Mbiza said the low-lying bridge is continually clogged with debris that causes flooding when it rains.

Mbiza said that as a result water pooled but they were able to clear out the blockage and then clean up.
Community members are unable to use the roads during the heavy rains. Mbiza said that this is why residents came together to address the issue. The clean-ups have been happening once a month to remove the dirt on the bridge.

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today declared a statewide disaster due to severe flooding in Carbon, Park, and Stillwater counties, as well as flood warnings in other parts of the state.
“With rapid snowmelt and recent heavy rains, communities in south-central Montana are experiencing severe flooding that is destroying homes, washing away roads and bridges, and leaving Montanans without power and water services,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Today's disaster declaration will help impacted communities get back on their feet as soon as possible, and I have asked state agencies to bring their resources to bear in support of these communities.”

Engagement with stakeholders on challenges experienced at Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works in Hammanskraal;
The Gauteng provincial Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) said the City of Tshwane water and waste water services' master plan had not been adhered to and implemented in respect of the infrastructure expansions and upgrades required. Of the 15 wastewater treatment works, only two were operating within the design capacity, and four were in at a critical state -- Rooiwal, Klipgat, Baviaanspoort and Sunderland Ridge.

Potential disaster areas to be declared after flash floods.
“Residents living next to rivers and streams are urged to evacuate to a safer place and those living in low lying areas must avoid crossing flooded bridges and rivers.”
This is according to member of the executive council (MEC) for Roads and Transport of Gauteng Provincial Government Ismail Vadi.

Residents in the north of Pretoria could face severe health risks amid fears that raw sewage spilled into the Apies River when the Rooiwal water treatment plant overflowed.
Democratic Alliance Gauteng spokesperson on environmental affairs Janho Engelbrecht said the Rooiwal plant received volumes far greater than it was equipped to handle.
“A temporary remedy to capacity problems has seen workers at the plant bypassing the system, pumping sewage sludge on to an open plane as the plant can no longer handle this load. If it were to function as it should, the plant would shut down completely,” he warned.

With large quantities of raw sewage flowing into the Apies River daily from the Rooiwal sewage treatment plant in the Tshwane Metro Municipality, the Department of Water Affairs has declared the plant and the section of the river north of it a disaster area. AfriForum made the initial call for the area to be declared a disaster area, and threatened to bring the contamination of the river to the attention of the International Health Organisation and the Blue Scorpions.
After declaring the area a disaster area, the department made about R11 million available for maintenance and upgrading of the Rooiwal plant.