WITH the year coming to an end, the Mend-the-Molweni project (MtM) has reported a steady decline in incidents of sewer problems.

This has been achieved by building better relations with the stakeholder community, the Department of Water and Sanitation, and the business community of Hillcrest.

The project is the brain child of three conservancies, Kloof, Hillcrest and Everton, with the aim of addressing ongoing sewage spillage problems.

Also read: Local NGO receives top conservation award

Kloof Conservancy chairman, Paolo Candotti, said this has been a year of great challenges and great gains in addressing the sewerage problems in the Hillcrest CBD.

“The first few months saw an increase in sewer problems across Hillcrest, with the number of hotspots rising to 26. Having observed countless open blocked manholes we are well aware that the cause of our problems is Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG) in the system along with Solid Foreign Objects (SFOs), especially disposable wipes and thick hand drying paper towels. It is, without question, a user problem.”

Although the team is monitoring 26 hotspots, Candotti said they have seen that the main problems with manhole surcharges are now largely restricted to Old Main Road and Hospital-Inanda Roads.

“This line represents the main flow of sewage through Hillcrest. Although there is better and better co-operation with users along this line, we have had some serious issues up until October of this year.”

In October, Candotti said they convened a meeting focusing on businesses in the Hillcrest CBD.

“Twenty-nine people attended, including representatives from the municipality’s Environment and Pollution and Enviro Health Departments. We shared information regarding the system and the causes of problems and then invited attendees to help us devise an approach to fixing our problem.

Also read: Mend the Molweni project in progress

“We particularly wish to commend Growthpoint management at Hillcrest Corner for committing themselves to a programme of monitoring and cleaning of their system, which connects the main trunk at the entrance to the centre on Old Main Road. They are doing a three-monthly scrape of their entire system and have installed cameras to better monitor their system.”

Centre manager, Beverley Wilson, said they are committed to doing everything to ensure that they are not part of the problem.

Another important development was a high-level meeting with eThekwini Water Service officials in early November.

Joining hands to solve sewer problems

“It was agreed that EWS would carry out regular line jetting as a preventative measure as often as every six to eight weeks. We have had one jetting done soon after the meeting with the next one imminent – to be done before the end of the year. This is a critical development. We continue to report into the eServices system and encourage the public to make use of this facility. It is essential that reference numbers are generated for effective follow-up.”

According to Candotti the work of the MtM would not have been a success without the support of donors.

“It is gratifying that most of the funds came from local business owners who saw value in the work, knowing that the efforts of the MtM are directed at supporting the local area, and preventing its degradation. Thanks are due to Guy Maquet (Lillies Quarter); Dave Keal (Keal Group); Rob Haesloop; Infinity Property Management; Marwick and Associates; the Upper Highway Trail Marathon; and several concerned citizens including Billie Prinsloo, George and Carolyn Victor and others.”

He added that conservancies have also played a significant role in supporting the funding, including Kloof, Everton, Hillcrest and Conservancies KZN.

“Our expenses are humble, but they are regular, and include the remuneration of our enviro-champ, Hlengiwe Magwaza, who plays a vital role in monitoring all the hotspots, doing water testing and managing our roadside rewilding projects.”

In addition, the MtM project has attracted wide attention. A UK-based documentary maker included the project in a short insert on building climate resilient cities.

For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter here