Residents along the Bloubankspruit and Crocodile River have been sounding the alarm for months: foul smells, dying fish, and rising health risks. What’s behind it? A sewage infrastructure crisis that has turned once-clean streams into toxic channels.
The Crisis Unfolds
A series of pump failures and aging wastewater infrastructure have led to untreated sewage spilling into rivers and storm drains around Mogale City. Local businesses, including lodges and farms that rely on water from these sources, say their livelihoods are under threat.
“Guests don’t want to visit anymore, the smell hits you before you even reach the gate,” said Thabo Mokoena, owner of a riverside guesthouse near Muldersdrift.
Health and Environmental Fallout
Environmental groups have warned that bacteria levels in affected streams are well above safe limits. Communities downstream report skin infections and respiratory issues, particularly among children playing near the water.
The Department of Water and Sanitation has since launched a joint task team with the municipality to monitor contamination and fast-track repairs to the Percy Stewart Wastewater Treatment Plant, one of the city’s most affected facilities.
Accountability and Hope
Mayor Tyrone Gray recently acknowledged the crisis, citing vandalism, copper theft, and lack of maintenance funds as key contributors. However, activists argue that years of neglect and delayed procurement are the real culprits.
As repairs continue, residents are urged to report illegal dumping and water leaks promptly. Civic groups like Green Krugersdorp Alliance are calling for public oversight committees to ensure transparency in all environmental spending.
“We can’t wait for another cholera outbreak to take this seriously,” said community organiser Boitumelo Radebe.
Clean water is a right ,not a privilege. Mogale City must prove that accountability flows as freely as the rivers it’s meant to protect.