DRASTIC MEASURES NEEDED FOR BRUMA LAKE HEALTH RISK

Drastic measures are needed to save Bruma Lake in eastern Johannesburg after a study found that there is a severe health risk both to residents and to people living close to the Jukskei River as it flows from this highly polluted lake.

According to the study conducted in October by the animal, plant and environmental sciences department of the University of the Witwatersrand, raw sewerage, urine and other rubbish flowing from the inner city probably contains cholera, salmonella and the hepatitis virus.

The Johannesburg Council has injected "effective micro-organisms" into the lake, but the study found that this has increased rather than reduced the bacteria.

We need to get real experts in now to fix this lake once and for all.

The council has stumbled from one failed strategy to another, and even failed to spend available funds.

Speedy and effective action is needed to alleviate the dire health consequences of pollution in this lake.

Statement by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, November 23 2011

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