The City is spending R87.5 million on a project to upgrade Bayside Canal from which stormwater run-off enters Rietvlei. File Picture Leon Lestrade. African News Agency/ANA. File picture: Leon Lestrade. African News Agency/ANA.
An R87.5 million project to upgrade the Bayside Canal will help to improve the quality of the stormwater run-off it carries into Rietvlei, says the City.
Residents living near the Rietvlei Nature Reserve say they have been left in the dark about construction work happening on the canal, which they claim has been a source of pollution in the vlei for some time (“City closes Rietvlei after pollution spike,” Tabletalk, June 30, 2021).
“It’s all fun and games now that we are seeing something being done. But what exactly is being done? We haven’t received any communication around this. Is there something that is being hidden from us? I mean we have been calling for something to be done about this Bayside Canal problem for many years now. The litter that is being dumped there and the overgrown reeds are making it impossible to keep the Rietvlei water body clean,” said Flamingo Vlei resident Tom Clifford.
Carla Davis, of Table View, said she was concerned about the condition of the vlei.
“I drive past the vlei quite frequently, and it amazes me that we are seeing less wildlife. There used to be bunches of pelicans in that body of water, but now you would be lucky to see a group of five when you drive past. It would be very interesting to find out what the issue is. I have seen some movement at the Bayside Canal. I’ve enquired with the City and our local councillor just to find out what is happening. I’m still waiting patiently.”
Mayoral committee member for water and sanitation Dr Zahid Badroodien said work on the canal had started in November last year and was expected to be finished by June next year.
“The aim of this upgrade is threefold: firstly to increase the capacity of the Bayside Canal, secondly to provide naturally structured treatment facilities to improve the quality of stormwater run-off that flows from the canal into the Rietvlei and lastly to provide adequate access for systematic maintenance in the future.”
These upgrades include:
• Lining the side slopes of the existing Bayside Canal immediately south of Blaauwberg Road.
• Providing floating litter booms to remove solid waste from the stormwater.
• Construction of parallel primary sedimentation ponds, a secondary treatment channel and reed bed ponds for further treatment to improve the quality of the water.
• Construction of a bypass channel.
• Construction of laydown areas next to the primary ponds and secondary treatment channel for future maintenance of the ponds and canal.
George May, of Table View, was concerned whether the work would inconvenience nearby residents with noise and smells.
Dr Badroodien said the City and contractor would try to keep disruptions to a minimum.
“Careful consideration was also taken for the natural environment. The water bodies opposite the West Coast Road will remain as is with no interference to the aquatic and natural habitat. Prior to commencing with the construction work, a search-and-rescue exercise was undertaken to search for and to rescue rare and endangered species and to collect other plants for on-site and off-site rehabilitation,” he said.