Municipality expresses its serious stance on air pollution

PAARL – Two weeks ago residents noticed a dark cloud of what was believed to be air pollution hanging over Paarl.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, noticed a thick, dark plume of smoke coming from a chimney in the Huguenot area of Jan van Riebeeck Drive.

Questions were asked of Drakenstein Municipality about whether it was aware of the cloud of smoke and, if so, what the cause of it was as well as the measures in place to deal with air pollution, Lauren Waring, Executive Director: Planning and Development at the municipality said it was aware of the problem.

“The dark smoke emissions observed on the morning of 21 July were from the steam boilers of Distell Monis in Paarl,” she explained. “The engineer of the plant confirmed it experienced a mechanical fault in both its boilers, which resulted in the plume of dark smoke. One of them has since been repaired and is operational. The municipality has conducted inspections, and has confirmed no dark smoke is being emitted.” Waring said there is a second boiler currently not in operation, which is expected to be repaired soon. “When the second boiler starts operating again, it is likely there will be some dark smoke emissions for a short while during start-up, until it is running optimally.”

Waring added that the Drakenstein Air Quality Officer had also made contact with another company, Kilotreads, where burning was also thought to take place. She pointed out no burning occurs at its premises, as is assumed by the public, so no smoke comes from there. “The municipality will continue to monitor emissions, and take enforcement action against any facility, where necessary.”