Millions of litres of effluent have been slowly finding its way into the Middelburg Dam from Hendrina, due to the ongoing collapse of infrastructure.

The plant, which has been a bane for farmer Samuel de Lange, is situated on his farm.

He says he lost several heads of cattle due to sickness thanks to the ongoing sewage pollution, and a contractor recently died after falling into the plant during repairs.

Following the death, all repairs were halted temporarily.

The plant is also a target for thieves who strip it of cables and other valuables.

Apart from one of two pumps not working at the plant today, the above-ground sewage pipes are also leaking.
Manholes are also oozing effluent, which Wolmarans says ‘is heading straight for Middelburg Dam, the town’s main water source’.

He has now opened a criminal complaint against the municipality over its failure to maintain infrastructure, resulting in ongoing pollution.

“The municipality is trampling on the constitutional rights of residents,” he charges.

• The Lekwa, Govan Mbeki and Dipaleseng municipalities have recently both been fined R70 million, R200 million and R160 million respectively, for ongoing pollution of water sources, with STLM next in line as the municipality struggles with finances.

• The Middelburg Observer also heard that sewage has been contaminating the Klein Olifants River at the Boskrans sewage plant.

The municipality denies it, and says during an inspection yesterday, no overflow could be found.
The authority also said that no spillages have been reported in the last five days.

According to the municipality, breakdowns do not affect the probability of pollution because the plant has backup generators which are switched on immediately during breakdowns.

• Get your copy of this week’s Middelburg Observer for more on the sewage crisis.

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STLM faces a criminal complaint over sewage pollution in Hendrina

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