ERMELO – Residents near Merino Mall have raised concerns about a sewage odour allegedly linked to the mall’s wastewater treatment plant and have circulated video footage which they say shows water being pumped from the treatment system.

Residents allege that the sewage may possibly be discharged into a stream that leads to a nearby dam.

These claims have been disputed by both mall management and authorities.

Merino Mall general manager Morgan Lee du Plessis said the footage does not reflect any external discharge, stating that the grey water or treated water is pumped into on-site dams which are closed systems that do not feed into external streams.

She explained that the water in the system consists of treated water and stormwater reused for irrigation, and that the facility is currently undergoing planned upgrades as part of a long-term infrastructure programme.

The Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) confirmed that an inspection was conducted following complaints.

Officials inspected all key treatment tanks and found the plant to be operational and compliant, attributing the odour to maintenance activities during upgrade work.

GSDM health inspector Hope Nghonyama visited the site as part of the inspection process.

The municipality further recommended improved communication with residents regarding maintenance activities and confirmed that chemical treatment had been applied to help neutralise odours.

Merino Mall maintains that its wastewater treatment system is independently operated, compliant, and undergoing upgrades aimed at improving long-term performance and efficiency.

Read more about the inspection findings and responses in the Highvelder’s printed edition.