Steve Tshwete municipality faces probe call over severe sewage pollution
Landowner Piet Joubert says dying blesbok and fouled streams have rendered parts of his 170-hectare farm unusable for grazing.
Erupting foam and an unbearable stench have exposed widespread sewage contamination affecting farmland and livestock in Ward 10.
According to landowner Piet Joubert, the pollution is so severe that blesbok in the area have started dying, and agricultural productivity has deteriorated significantly.
His farm covers approximately 170 hectares and is divided by a natural stream.
According to Joubert, areas through which the stream flows have become unsuitable for normal agricultural use due to sewage contamination.
Cattle, goats, and sheep cannot safely graze in certain areas adjacent to the stream.
According to Joubert, numerous attempts have previously been made to bring the sewage problem to the attention of the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (STLM) and relevant municipal officials.
Contamination traced for kilometres
DA municipal election candidate Rehana Uys followed the stench and determined that the pollution extends much further.
She traced the pollution for kilometres and established that it apparently originates in Rockdale, passing Hlalamnandi, Nasaret, and Eastdene.
She compiled a report that has already been sent to the relevant authorities, including the municipality.
“The purpose of this report is to formally record and bring to the attention of the relevant political, municipal, and provincial authorities a serious and prolonged sewage contamination problem affecting areas within and around Ward 10 of the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.”
According to the report, the contamination raises concerns regarding:
• environmental degradation
• potential contamination of surface water
• potential exposure of livestock to contaminated water
• potential human exposure
• possible contamination of agricultural land
• potential impact on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
• possible long-term effects on the surrounding environment.
Call for technical investigation
Uys suggests that a comprehensive technical investigation should establish:
• the source of the sewage
• the direction of flow
• the extent of contamination
• the condition of sewerage infrastructure
• possible sewer pipe failures
• possible pump station failures
• possible wastewater treatment failures
• illegal or uncontrolled discharges, if any
• the receiving watercourse
• the impact on downstream properties
• the potential impact on wetlands and floodplain areas.
“STLM should urgently identify the source of the sewage discharge and establish whether the problem originates from a collapsed sewer, blocked sewer, pump station, damaged pipeline or illegal connection.”
She said the conditions observed during the investigation are sufficiently serious to justify urgent intervention and a formal technical investigation.
An enquiry was sent to the municipality’s communication department, and an update will be published as soon as a reply is received.
