The current unacceptable situation on the Vlei justifies the concerns reflected in the petition. For over two weeks the Zandvlei waterbody has been closed to the public for recreational use because of excessive E.coli counts.(although the actual ecoli figures have not been published despite requests from several quarters). Disclosure of the actual results at the various test points is requested.
SEWAGE LEAKS AND POLLUTION
While recognizing and welcoming the fact that the City is involved in ongoing maintenance and upgrade of the sewage system, there remain many areas of serious concern:
There have been ongoing leakages into the Sand River canal over the past year and five months which have been monitored and reported. The wooden sluice structure which the City introduced might have helped, but it leaked continuously and could only hold back the sewage temporarily. It required a honeysucker vehicle to be on hand to suck the pollution out before it polluted the vlei. All too often this was not the case and the sewage reached the vlei.
It is pleasing to hear that a Pollution Abatement Strategy and Action Plan (PASAP) is being developed, to be completed by end August 2021. However it is all the more surprising that there is not one in place already. Many simple interventions could already have been performed viz blocking off dumping hotspots……but nothing viable has been done and the pollution continues to increase.
SEDIMENTATION AND SILTATION
There is no mention of considering an alternative weir system. While it is accepted that artificial manipulation of the vlei system is a necessary evil , it is not clear why, given the amount of past and current observations criticising the current methods, a simple alternative adjustable weir of some type cannot be installed to manage this, rather than the cumbersome and expensive bulldozer system currently in use.
CANAL CLEARING AND LITTER TRAPS
The written commitment to cleaning the nets /litter traps ,prior to and during rain events ,and the planned bi monthly cleaning of the canals, in response to the petition, is welcomed.
It would be advantageous to all if these regular cleaning events could be communicated to the residents via a notam via councilor kuhl or the reserve manager.
The performance of council in this very important respect will be monitored and reported on through whichever channels are deemed appropriate.
ZANDVLEI WEEDHARVESTER
Written confirmation of the awarding of the tender and a delivery date of dec2021/jan2022 (notwithstanding the 36 month tender period) in response to the petition is welcomed, more information regarding the successful tender and progress updates are called for. Many residents have indicated an interest in following the build .
In the meantime the original weedharvester is operational again after 6 months of inaction. This six month operational hiatus for a relatively minor repair, due to “ internal processes”, is unacceptable and written assurances from COCT that these systems have been streamlined to prevent a repeat are sought.
IN CONCLUSION:
The response to the petition falls short in many respects, most notably in addressing the serious issue of the opening and closing of the mouth and the continued presence of the rubble weir and the associated problems this creates.
To repeat the current expensive method of bulldozing sand back and forth is rejected as being an “efficient” means of control, it seriously affects the health of the vlei as is currently displayed by the current condition of the water. The petition calls for a working group of coct engineers, environmentalists and concerned residents to be set up to consider and propose affordable alternative solutions. This should be achievable within 6 months.
The status quo is NOT ACCEPTABLE