23 replies to this topic Post Order

[Garfield2010]

Seriously how clean is that dam in terms of open water swimming.

there are lots of guys swimming there saying nothing is wrong. There are plenty of guys who explains where all the crap that flows in there comes from and says it is sif.

I have to say that on the one side it does smell.

Has anyone ever bothered testing it recently? Maybe the canoe club?

[Zula]

You wouldn't catch me swimming in that dam.

I'm not keen on growing an 11th finger or toe. That water is TOXIC!

[GrumpyOldGuy]

My dog has no issues swimming there, she smells a bit ripe for a day or two afterwards but so far she is just fine.

[Milkworx]

We (group of 3 guys) swam there the past weekend, and we are all still alive and well!
I also swam there about 4 weekends ago, and know that few other guys/gals also swim there from the Jozi Multisport club (https://www.facebook...imultisport.org)

It feels relatively clean and there was about 3m visibility this weekend!
To me its the best option(stay 2km away)

Edited by Milkworx, 20 December 2011 - 09:25 .

[Garfield2010]

mmm so it is mixed feelings. Would not like to get a stupid bug a month before the 70.3.

So I guess the water hasnt been tested for a while then...... You dont always get sick even if the water is toxic. Guess it depends on a combination of your immune system on the day as well as how much water you actually swallow etc.....

[Chowder]

I used to sail there a lot and I would not swim there unless I went over, which was quite often, and I am still around. The council used to test the water routinely so they may have actual data - if you can find the right person to speak to. As far as I recollect the bad times were after the first few storms in spring when a lot of the rubbish in the storm water system entered the dam. Maybe the scuba club (if they still operate?) the canoe or sailing clubs have this info.

[Garfield2010]

Chowder, on 20 December 2011 - 09:47 , said:

the bad times were after the first few storms in spring when a lot of the rubbish in the storm water system entered the dam.

In other words you mean NOW!!

[ianhoy]

I swim there every week and have been for the past 8 weeks - no issues - visability is good you just have duck crap floating - but close and free place to swim - if you swim inside the bouys it is 1km from the sailing club - swim anti-clockwise.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Chowder, on 20 December 2011 - 09:47 , said:

I used to sail there a lot and I would not swim there unless I went over, which was quite often, and I am still around. The council used to test the water routinely so they may have actual data - if you can find the right person to speak to. As far as I recollect the bad times were after the first few storms in spring when a lot of the rubbish in the storm water system entered the dam. Maybe the scuba club (if they still operate?) the canoe or sailing clubs have this info.

Yeah, good point, dont think they are there anymore though, at least I have not seen any diving activity for years there. I used to often dive there many years ago though, the club organised treasure hunts and it was great fun, the water was usually very clean then, but.....yeah, things there appear to have been sliding for a while now.

[Thug]

The water is far cleaner (bacteria wise) if you swim closer to the dam wall.

Tests were done earlier this year and the results I'm sure were posted on a similar thread.

[Garfield2010]

Ok but what about the first rains of the season theory then. Can one not buy a test kit somewhere? Almost like those for your swimming pool years ago with the eyedrops etc...

I would like to be able to quickly test the water before each swim just to get an idea....

Maybe test it at all sides.... Is it possible for all the bacteria and crap to be stuk on only one side of the dam? It is really really sif on the side of Judith road.

Let me ask this.... is there anyone on this thread who have gotten sick from swimming there or knows of anyone getting sick who did swim there?

[cat-i]

Garfield2010, on 20 December 2011 - 10:21 , said:

Ok but what about the first rains of the season theory then. Can one not buy a test kit somewhere? Almost like those for your swimming pool years ago with the eyedrops etc...

I would like to be able to quickly test the water before each swim just to get an idea....

Maybe test it at all sides.... Is it possible for all the bacteria and crap to be stuk on only one side of the dam? It is really really sif on the side of Judith road.

Let me ask this.... is there anyone on this thread who have gotten sick from swimming there or knows of anyone getting sick who did swim there?

I used to paddle (and hence swim when the boat tipped) there quite often. Never got sick. Don't know of anybody who did.

[danger dassie]

Theres a paddle club there, why not ask them? Ama dub dub duzi or something like that.

[mr_stig]

Are there any kits that the average joe or josephine can use to test water before swimming in it? I should imagine that while the water may have excellent vis now and be clean, after heavy rains that may change.

Any ideas?

[Azi]

The boat club is called Dabulamanzi. Some friends swim there almost every Friday, nobody has gotten sick. Saw some guys swimming after our Saturday morning cycle as well.

[Edgar]

Bunch of pansies, after paddling there for 16 odd years I never got sick from the water. The paddlers still do swims in the dam as cross training
HTFU if you want to swim in the dam, otherwise go splash in the pisspond at Linden.

The water quality is not a problem and Dabulamanzi does monitor it fairly regulary.