The construction phase of the re-mediation of the North End Lake is fully operational with the construction of four stormwater gabion filter ponds at four points around the lake. The multi-million rand project is planned for completion before December. Four SMMEs have been appointed for the work, creating approximately 35 job opportunities. The periphery of the lake and the ponds is cleaned manually, creating a further 8 to 10 jobs. (See: Enviro-Engineering breathing new life into North End Lake)
The next phase in cleaning of the North End Lake – the Bioremediation phase – will start in November 2015.
The bioremediation process involves the use of micro-organisms (bacteria) and their enzymes to return the lake to it’s original condition. The imported product will reduce or eliminate soluble organic matter, suspended organic solids and the sludge that has built up on the bottom of the lake whilst eliminating toxins and bacteria harmful to humans and aquatic life.
The product is completely safe for humans and aquatic life, 100% natural, NOT GMO in any way and approved for use in very restrictive nations such as New Zealand and Australia.
The product will be decanted into the North End Lake from a barge towed behind a boat. This process will take place one day a week for ten weeks and then once a month on a continuous basis.
Users of the North End Lake will see the following happen:
- Sludge form the bottom of the lake will be dislodged and rise to the surface. This sludge will be 1 to 3 mm thick and might cover some parts of the lake.
- The sludge will be wind driven to the sides of the lake. It will take a day for risen sludge to decompose. The sludge will continually rise until all is removed.
- The colour of the water will vary from time to time.
- The bubbles rising to the surface are part of the natural process of gas being released as sludge and organics decompose in the water.
Said Algoa Bay Yacht Club Commodore, Alan Straton; “The sailing community welcomes the efforts to clean the North End Lake and looks forward to hosting more events on this valuable inner city lake which presents a unique water-sport perspective in the shadow of our cities iconic Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. ABYC holds it’s annual regional interclub dinghy sailing regatta on the lake and RYC recently added one more iconic event to the North End Lake sailing calendar – the Redhouse Yacht Club 24 Hour Sailing Challenge.”
The inaugural Redhouse Yacht Club 24 Hour Sailing Challenge was held on the North End Lake on the weekend of 31 October to 1 November 2015.
Seven Sailing Teams and one paddling team (NMMU Paramedic Students) took part.
Over the 24 hours the NMMU Paramedic Students covered a distance of 131.43 kilometres.
The winning sailing team – North Sonnet – on a …………. Sonnet covered a distance of 107.3 kilometres.
The top three sailing teams all sailed Sonnets and only 8 kilometres separated them.
The East Cape Power Boat Club graciously made their facilities available for the sailors.
Alan Straton
Latest posts by Alan Straton (see all)
- South African Conquers Rats on the World Stage - 30 October 2026
- Old JPG on a Memory Stick? Vectorization Studio in Observatory Redraws Faded and Low-Resolution Logos by Hand - 30 October 2026
- ReAutomated Adds Robot Palletising and Case Packing Cells to Existing South African Packing Lines Without Stripping Out the Conveyors - 30 October 2026
- From a 5 KM Sprint to an Ultra: Punisher Sets Out Its Magaliesberg Obstacle Race Formats for First Timers, Teams and Fitness Clubs - 30 October 2026
- Rotary or Dual Action? Germiston’s Polisher Lists Its Machines, Buffs and Compounds for Car Paint and Metal Finishing - 30 October 2026
