ANALYSIS OF INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT

• The analysis of industrial effluent shows places where the pH levels of the effluent are unbalanced and exceeds 8,5 (alcalinic) or are lower than 6,5 (acidic).
• Unacceptable levels are mainly found around the Johannesburg Inner City, emanating from the industrial zone from Heriotdale and Denver in the east through to Industria West and North, in the west, and Lea Glen and Robertville to the southeast of Roodepoort.
• To the south of the CBD unbalanced pH levels also exist from effluent of the Electron / Tulisa Park, Booysens, City Deep and Aeroton industrial areas. High lead, copper and chromium levels are found in these areas.
• Southeast of Soweto bad pH levels are found in the vicinity of Devland, where chemical discharges cause pollution.
• In the eastern and northern parts of Greater Johannesburg poor pH levels are found to the north and south of Randburg, east of Sandton and in Alexandra. The Randburg industrial area, as well as the Wynberg / Kew areas play a role in industrial pollution. Contamination in the Modderfontein Spruit subcatchment in the east is the worst, due to AECI, Kynoch Fertilizers, Gypsum Industries and the Kelvin Power Station, whose effluent is discharged directly into the river system due to stormwater runoff. High concentrations of ammonia, fluoride, nitrate, sulphate, phosphate and calcium carbonate all lead to high pH levels.

ANALYSIS OF SEWERAGE

• Sewerage pollution mainly occurs where people have no access to waterborne sewers and sewage is discharged directly into water systems. In parts of Orange Farm in the south, a lack of services causes water pollution due to runoff from informal settlements.
• East of Ennerdale at Sweet Waters, Finetown and Weilers Farm, a lack of sewers also cause similar problems.
• Southwest of Lenasia, including the Lawley settlement, a lack of services results in sewage and litter in stormwater runoff.
• Southwest of Soweto there is a lack of water borne sewers in the Slovo Park, Bushkoppies, Freedom Park and Goldev settlements.
• A lack of services are also found in Protea South and other parts of Soweto, and blockages of stormwater systems and unhealthy and visually unpleasant conditions are found in these areas.
• In the northwestern areas of Soweto the upgrading of water and sewerage systems, and the provision of stormwater drains are currently taking place.
• Northeast of Soweto in the Diepkloof / Orlando area, water pollution is caused by polluted runoff from the Powa Park settlement, while the Klipspruit sewer is also prone to overflowing. Stormwater in the area also transports litter into the natural watercourses.
• Southwest of Roodepoort in the Witpoortjie, Davidsonville, Goudrand and Matholeville areas, a lack of sewers as well as insufficient bulk sewer capacity creates wastewater problems.
• In and around the Johannesburg CBD a lack of sewerage services exist in the Aeroton industrial area in the southwest; the Moffat Park settlement to the southeast; the Canaansland settlement in the Newtown area, as well as in the Denver area. Overcrowding causes the overflow of sewers in central Johannesburg, especially in Newtown, Jeppestown and the densely populated area of Hillbrow.
• West of Johannesburg overflowing sewers cause water pollution in the Industria / Mayfair area.
• In Alexandra the pollutants contained in the runoff is greatly affected by the poor sewerage reticulation system, and the presence of informal settlements. Wastewater includes high levels of COD, PO₄, SO₄, E.coli, lead and other domestic constituents (EMLC: LDO, 1997).
• East of Sandton in the vicinity of Marlboro Gardens services are insufficient to deal with the flow.
• In the far northern areas, no sewers, stormwater of water provision exists, especially in the Zevenfontein settlement. Polluted runoff from these areas therefore results in water pollution.

ANALYSIS OF STATE OF WASTEWATER

REFERENCES