Thursday 04 November 2010

No further dosing has taken place this week.

We are experiencing some major logistical stumbling blocks within JHB City Parks ability and resource's to provide the necessary equipment and manpower with which to spread the SAEM over the entire surface of the Lake and also in the transporting the SAEM from from it's brewing points to the lake.

It must be remembered that EMgro Natrology, a not for commercial gain organisation, is only the supplier of the technology and ingredients to address the Bruma Dilemma!

In the interests of promoting the technology and the integrity of our product and technology, we have verbally agreed to act as as 'Project Managers' for the Bio remediation of the Lake on a non profit basis:

• We require R40 000.00 to purchase the necessary pumps and spraying equipment
• We need them to employ 5 labourers for the project
• Recoupment of our costs

This communication is intended to keep you informed. It is not to be twisted in any manner what-so-ever to derive any criticism of the Council's commitment and willingness to to sort this problem out.

Monday 1 November 2010

Today we added 5 000 litres EMgro SAEM to the lake, half at the intake and half at the controversial trap.

Some feedback

• Top right pic - large chunks of sludge are breaking away and floating to the surface
• Large amounts of tubflex worms are making an appearance - this is good news - they eat the poo and provide food for the birds and other minor small animals

VISITED THE LAKE TODAY 30 OCTOBER 2010

Today was quite hot with a slight breeze from the East.

First took a look at the Northern side, between the derelict shopping centre and The Don;

• the sludge seems to have subsided by about 100 - 200 mm
• quite a lot of debris is being released and floating to the surface
• there was no smell

The went to the opposite side of the lake to the Garden Court Hotel:

• as the wind was blowing across the lake from the Eastern side that has not as been inoculated there was a slight unpleasant smell but noticed that some residents were sitting out on their patio's, relaxing.
• here too the silt has subsided by about the same amount.
• disapointedly though, my tubiflex were not to be seen, sobs

BIOREMEDIATION OF BRUMA LAKE 29 OCTOBER 2010

It has been disappointing and slow progress since beginning to inoculate the Lake on Wednesday. Lots of logistical problems:

• The water tanker that we ordered did not pitch
• The guys from the Zoo Lake Horticultural Training Centre arrive after 09:30h and then take a tea break till about 10:00 or later
• Of the 12 /13 sponsored learners, who applied for the Horticultural Training i.e. to further their interests in farming, nurseries etc. only 2 are prepared to get their hands dirty - in my eyes a total waste of taxpayers money. Nice bunch though - I now know all about 'SA has Talent', Idols and So You Think you can Dance etc.
• An interesting observation; yesterday, Thursday, we inoculated from the banks of the Garden Court Hotel and I asked the Hotel Manager if the hotel would make them some sandwich's and tea for breakfast for which I would pay - the hotel put on a magnificent spread and set it up on the pool deck - real 4 star treatment. Only 2 of the students came to thank me - the same 2 that are prepared to work.
• The water level is too low in which to float my rubber duck!

Progress

Wednesday - We eventually got started after 11:30h inoculated with 500 litres of EMgro SAEM and added some 1 000 SAEM Bokashi Balls. I was told that there was not sufficient time left to collect another tanker of SAEM as the learners had to get back to Zoo Lake to shower and get ready to knock off by 14:30h. So an effective 1.5 hours work was done

Thursday - On arrival I first went and inspected the area that we had inoculated the previous day. The improvement and change was far beyond that what 'I even' anticipated, the sludge was bubbling away and much debris was floating to the surface. I decided to go and inoculate from the opposite side of the Lake - from the banks of the Garden Court Hotel. In discussion with the Manager of the Hotel; she informed me that this was the first morning in ages that they woke up to 'no smell from the lake'.After having their breakfast we managed to spray 1 000 litres and distribute another 1500 Bokashi Balls before the students had to leave; 14:30h!

Friday / Today

On arrival today, I was greeted by the most unbelievable experience - remember that I am a bit of an environmentalist - there were lots of tubiflex worms swimming around in the water that we inoculated the previous day!!!!!! So excited. This tells me that the oxygen levels are normalising, the pH levels are stabilising to suitable levels and that the water is becoming able to support small animal life.

I really did not believe that this would happen so quickly.

We managed to dose with 1 load / 500 liters of EMgro SAEM, add 500 Bokashi Balls and was informed at 10:00h that today was half day off.

So the Summary: I was hoping to have inoculated the entire surface area of the Lake with some 10 000 - 15 000 litres of EMgro SAEM by the end of today but only achieved 2 000 litres over about a quarter of the surface area of the lake

In spite of the above, amazing progress and change has happened.

The way forward from here;

• I will be meeting with Jane Eagle, Assistant Director Environment, on Monday to discuss and formalise a more reliable and efficient inoculation procedure to be followed into the future.

BIOREMEDIATION OF BRUMA LAKE 25 OCTOBER 2010

Much of the morning today was spent on gathering samples for water and sludge testing.

The picture on the left is of the HDO of the Microbiological Department of the University of Johannesburg and two of his lucky students gathering samples. I say 'lucky' because I truly believe that they will be monitoring and documenting the most far reaching and sustainable water conservation project ever undertaken in South Africa!

Although we will need wait for the results of their analysis; some preliminary deductions that I have made from today's excursion are:

• That the lake is about 80% silted up (filled with rotting organic debris) that is highly toxic
• The pH (Alkalinity / Acidity of the water); the test sites indicated pH levels of 8.3 to 9, indicate that most the most problematic area is the amount of chemicals that are being released into the system
• Let's await the final results of the research and findings.

BIOREMEDIATION OF BRUMA LAKE

The students rolled 3 600 Bokashi Balls and we will throwing them into Bruma on Wednesday 27th October.

Lots of willing hands will be appreciated on Wed, Thurs and Fri.

BIOREMEDIATION OF BRUMA LAKE

The students will complete the rolling of the Bokashi Balls at the Horticultural Training Centre, Zoo Lake today.