Changing face of Bruma Lake

Bruma Lake is one step closer to turning into a recreational park. The first phase of the City of Johannesburg’s R65 million project to rehabilitate Bruma Lake, east of Johannesburg is set to be conclude later this month.

The phase of the rehabilitation process that started in June last year, tackled the draining of the lake and drying the silt.

Engineers diverted Jukskei River from the centre of the lake, giving way to the construction of the channel that was completed last month. The new channel now allows water to flow through the new channel and the bypass has since been closed.

The Bruma Lake created a vibrant environment for business and with a flea market and restaurant strip along the lake but then lost its glory over the years after a water contamination caused by washing powder, motor oil, sewage, litter and other debris flowing into the lake from the Jukskei River.

A bad smell emanated from the lake and this affected the business in the area.

Daniel Masemola deputy director of water quality and catchment management in the City of Johannesburg said the lake was artificial and was constructed to be a central feature of a commercial node.

“The key objectives of the remedial work was to address community problems, in particular the bad odour and aesthetics which characterized the lake.  The remedial work aims to reduce the public health risks and to restore the aesthetics and amenity of the area for the public and the surrounding business community.” Said Masemola

“The preferred and recommended long term rehabilitation solution also aims to restore continuity of the riparian corridor and to recreate a viable ecosystem, creating a more sustainable system, and simultaneously ensuring a more manageable system and reduced operational costs with respect to cleaning of litter and de-silting in the future.” He added

Masemola highlighted that the lake had poor ecological characteristics, having a concrete base layer and vertical sides with no banks or vegetation to support habitat, and trapping pollutants and sediment entering the lake.

Development of parkland was supported by the key stakeholders around the lake such Bruma Business Community.

Business owners around the Bruma Lake area have shared similar sentiments saying that their businesses are suffering due to the poor conditions of the lake

“There was a bad smell coming from the lake and this affected shoppers and business here. We are hoping that the place will turn around once it has been rehabilitated,” said shop owner Shez Sadiq

First phase of the rehabilitation process to date has cost the city R20 185 657.02.  Phase two, which involves landscaping, is expected to commence immediately and be completed by the end of June 2015.