THE Minister of Local Government in the Western Cape, Anton Bredell, has announced that significant progress had been made in addressing the pollution in the Berg River.
Minister Bredell recently met with the Regional Director of Water Affairs, Rashid Khan, to discuss the progress made.
Over a year ago, a provincial task team delivered a report on the state of the Berg River. The report stated that the Berg River was in crisis and that urgent steps needed to be taken. “I am pleased to say that much has been done since then,” said Minister Bredell.
“The Department of Water Affairs is monitoring the water quality throughout the river and is able to pinpoint exactly who is responsible for pollution. They are taking the necessary legal action against the polluters by issuing directives.”
Progress has also been made on upgrading municipal infrastructure, as much of the pollution comes from over-loaded sewerage plants.
Drakenstein Municipality has improved its ability to treat sewerage by cleaning 9,8 km of bulk sewer lines, installing web-based monitoring stations, and purchasing standby sewer pumps.
“I am very pleased that they are also prioritising capital infrastructure projects,” said Bredell.
They have completed the relocation of the sewage pipe along the Palmiet River, are busy with the construction of a bulk sewer, and are planning two more projects.
Bredell has established a Berg River Task Team to monitor the implementation of an action plan.
New sewage works are currently planned near the Wemmershoek forestry station, to replace the inadequate works in Franschhoek, which have regularly led to sewage spillage into the Berg River.
A spokesperson for the Berg River Irrigation Board, Jannie Kirsten, welcomed the task team, but added that much work needs to be done to clean up the Berg River.
