This was one of the remarks made by Trevor when he addressed a press briefing relating to the acid mine water drainage situation around Jozi. We should take cognisance of this as it comes from the man who spent many years in charge of our country’s finances, and who is also arguably the most trustworthy politician around. If that exists.

Manual and the Cabinet last week had a meeting in which they examined the results and recommendations based on scientific expert opinion relating to the problem.

As a government, we want to give all South Africans the assurance that this matter is receiving attention; that the science is exceptionally good on this matter; and, that there is actually no cause for panic about it. I want to repeat that: there is no cause for panic about it.

Did you see how he repeated himself there? Trevor doesn’t seem like the guy who repeats himself so we ought to listen.

Currently all three basins surrounding jozi are effected – the eastern, central and western basins – but it’s the western basin that needs immediate attention.

Senior water affairs official, Marius Keet, explained that the major challenge at the moment was to address the mine water that had been seeping in the Krugersdorp (western basin) area since 2002.

Generally the water has been hovering around 500m – 700m below the surface and it’s the critical 150m from the surface that’s causing the fear, especially with the constant rain pushing levels by between 0.6m – 0.9m a day in areas.

There is a plan though: pump stations should be active by March 2012 and an environmental levy for cost recovery is also being investigated.

[Source: TimesLive]

[Image: rainharvest]