BIOREMEDIATION : LET NATURE DO THE WORK!
by Cllr. Jill Humphreys — DA Member of the Environmental and Waste Management Oversight Committee
Date: 6 June 2022
Release: Immediate
Type: Media statement
The Democratic Alliance Caucus in Ekurhuleni welcomes the recently passed motion on plans to introduce Bioremediation in the City of Ekurhuleni’s waste water treatment system.
The motion was tabled by Cllr. Jill Humphreys and adopted in Council on the 26th of May 2022. The motion will see bioremediation being implemented as a waste treatment solution across all water treatment plants in the City.
The Ekurhuleni Water Care Company’s (ERWAT) Waste Water Treatment Plants have long been functioning either beyond capacity or straining at maximum capacity.
The previous administration allowed ERWAT to fail under their watch. No new WWTP plants have been built in the last 20 years. Currently of the 19 WWTPs, only a handful of them are operating, with many of the pump stations being either blocked or dysfunctional. This is despite the growing population in the City and the continued use of archaic technology whilst new technology has been readily available.
One such technology is Bioremediation, which is a biotechnical process that employs the use of living organisms in the removal of contaminants from water and other environments. This technology has been tested at the Waterval WWTP and was approved by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).
How it works:
· Bioremediation digests (removing) all Fats, Oils, Grease and organic waste (sludge).
· It neutralises all bad smells within 48hours of treatment.
· Increases dissolved oxygen content, therefore reducing the need for aerators and/or skimmers.
Benefits of Bioremediation:
· Improves pH balance, combating high acidic gases and fluids. This in turn reduces structural maintenance and damage.
· It aids the unblocking of agitators, digestors and effluent lines.
· Saves on energy consumption.
· It will reduce the heavy strain on the current infrastructure and maintenance costs.
· No need for any construction or engineering to take place
This means no need for costly aerators and skimmers, reduced costs for upgrades and maintenance and a significant reduction in energy consumption. It is with great excitement that the DA heralds this technologically advanced, biotechnical process that is odour-destroying and money-saving to the City of Ekurhuleni and its residents to assist our aged WWTPs that have long been required to carry ever-increasing volumes whilst operating with an ever decreasing capacity.
Cllr. Jill Humphreys
DA Member of the Environmental and Waste Management Oversight Committee
082 450 0128
