A BLOCKED sewer was cleared on Wednesday, October 15, and it is anticipated that this will result in the clearing of the pollution in the Palmiet River in Westville.

The foam which has formed on the river’s current, and the unpleasant smell emanating from it, have been a cause of frustration for locals, and concern for an independent environmental watchdog, Palmiet River Watch (PRW), which raised the alarm on the extremely high levels of E. coli in the river.

The municipality’s spokesperson Gugu Sisilana confirmed that the pollution was caused by the blocked sewer, “which has since been cleared by the Sanitation Directorate”.

“Swift action was taken to address the issue, and it is anticipated that the river downstream will also be cleared in due course.

“Investigations revealed that the blockage was caused by foreign objects that had entered the sewer line. The municipality continues to face persistent challenges related to theft, vandalism, and improper waste disposal, which frequently result in sewer blockages and overflows. Common items such as hardened fats, rags, disposable nappies, and other non-biodegradable materials are major contributors to these incidents. It is important to note that the sewer system is designed to handle only water, human waste, and tissue,” said Sisilana.

Also read: WATCH: Sewage leak in Cowies Hill pollutes Palmiet River

She added that the municipality appeals to the public and businesses to be responsible with their waste management practices and to refrain from vandalising sewer infrastructure.

“Improper disposal of waste not only disrupts essential services but also leads to environmental pollution, affecting our rivers, beaches, and overall ecosystem. We remain committed to maintaining a clean and safe environment for all and urge the community to partner with us in protecting our shared natural resources,” said Sisilana.

PRW’s Lee D’Eathe applauded the municipality’s “prompt action”.

D’Eathe has said the PRW has demanded that the eThekwini Municipality urgently enforces Section 8 regulations of the Scheduled Activities By-law (2020) to halt illegal wastewater disposal and restore ecological integrity.

He said a recent probe by PRW, in collaboration with municipal officials and the Chemical Cluster, uncovered widespread non-compliance of scheduled activities.

The PRW are calling for the strict enforcement of legislation to protect the environment and communities.

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