A SEWER discharge onto vacant land at the rear of Oliver Lea Drive has been identified by the eThekwini Municipality as the cause of a mosquito infestation that is giving Umbilo residents sleepless nights.

Gugu Sisilana, eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, said that the City’s Health Directorate through its Vector Control Section, conducted extensive surveys last week to determine the source of the problem. She said, “The surveys revealed that sewer discharge onto vacant land at the rear of Oliver Lea Drive has caused water to swamp and stagnate, creating favourable breeding conditions for mosquitoes.

“In response, Vector Control teams are scheduled this week to carry out insecticide spraying (larvicide management) of the swamp area to significantly reduce mosquito breeding. Additionally, the matter has been referred to the eThekwini Water and Sanitation Directorate (EWS) to address and resolve the sewer surcharge to prevent recurrence.”

The severity of the problem was highlighted by residents and members of the KZN Disaster Management Pty Ltd who accompanied an Environmental Health Officer to inspect the area. Mark Lombard, an Umbilo resident and a director at KZN Disaster Management Pty Ltd, said mosquitos have been a concern for the area dating back to 2017.

Also Read: Umbilo residents feel the sting of mosquito infestation

“This area suffers from an extreme lack of maintenance,” said Lombard. “In some sections of the Umbilo River, we found illegal dumping of building rubble and stagnant, sewage-contaminated water. Mosquitoes could be seen hovering and landing on the water’s surface.”

His wife, Julia Lombard, said they have been suffering and unable to sleep at night because of the mosquitos invading their home.

“All we want is to sleep. We are all suffering, some of our neighbours do not even open their windows anymore. Some have even put nets up on the windows and doors but it does nothing to stop the mosquitos,” said Julia. Lombard said unkempt vegetation, stagnant water and illegal dumping are some of the issues believed to be linked to the infestation near Umbilo Park.

This was also the concern of the municipality. “eThekwini also notes concerns about illegal dumping and overgrown verges within the protected habitat in the vicinity,” said Sisilana. “Illegal dumping was cleared from the western side of the park on June 12. Fence clearing has been conducted along the boundary of Brettonwood High School to maintain accessibility and cleanliness. Ongoing maintenance includes the installation of bollards in cleared areas to deter further illegal dumping, regular refuse collection, and continued removal of invasive alien plants. Residents are encouraged to continue reporting illegal dumping and environmental health concerns to the Municipality.”

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