Posted by: Saving Water SA (Cape Town, South Africa) - partnered with Water Rhapsody conservation systems – 12 March 2010

Millions of litres of highly toxic and acidic water will flow out of Johannesburg’s mines and swamp the city over the next two years, causing structural damage to buildings and severely affecting residents’ health.

Johannesburg. Toxic water will eat away at the city's steel foundations

Scientists predict that if drastic steps are not immediately taken to plug disused mine shafts and pump out the acid mine drainage, the poisonous water will flow into rivers and low-lying areas in the country’s most populous city at a rate of up to 70 megalitres a day – as much as 1400 average-sized swimming pools.

A joint report of the departments of water affairs, mineral resources and environmental affairs, dated March 2009, was commissioned by water affairs director-general Pam Yako after concerns raised by activist group Federation for a Sustainable Environment. It says the grave acid mine drainage situation in Gauteng:

- Poses a potentially “catastrophic” threat to Johannesburg residents. The toxic water will eat away at steel in the foundations of buildings in the city;
- Threatens to “potentially destroy the Cradle of Humankind” world heritage site; and
- As the acidic, polluted water contains heavy metals and salts, it will “pose a risk to human health … while also having a significant negative impact on the economy.

Mariette Liefferink, chief executive of the Federation for a Sustainable Environment, said long-term exposure to drinking water contaminated with acid mine drainage leads to increased rates of cancer, decreased brain function, and skin lesions.

Scientists say the toxic water will wreak havoc with the city’s water supply and affect farming along the Vaal River. Continue reading Toxic minerals and acids at dangerous level