Sewage spill makes Ballito’s Willard beach a no-go zone
"We are hopeful that the temporary solution can be operational by no later than October 11."
Sembcorp Siza Water has asked that people refrain from visiting Willard Beach for their own health and safety due to a sewage spill on the beach.
On Monday, October 3, the North Coast Courier reported that the flagship beach was awash with raw sewage after a manhole was reportedly moved by rough seas pounding the beach during Sunday night’s storm.
Tourists and locals were greeted by the sewage overflowing from three manholes.
The resulting stench was offensive and unpleasant for beach goers.
Sembcorp Siza Water’s PRO, Khosi Mathenjwa said the problem is in an environmentally sensitive area and was reported to the respective government department to seek their permission to excavate and utilise machinery on the beach.
“We were initially denied this request, were instructed to await their inspection before we could proceed with any remedial work and requested to reduce the sewer spill by utilising a honey sucker,” said Mathenjwa .
“On the morning of the October 4, we engaged the service of a contractor to start with the removal of sand from the sump of our Willard Beach Sewer Pump Station and also engaged a second contractor to effect some temporary repairs to the damaged sewer network.”
“We further have engaged Bosch Projects to assist and advise us on designs for the reinstatement of the infrastructure.
“It was only after 5pm on the October 4 that we received verbal authorisation for us to begin the repair.”
“The repair work will be conducted in two phases, firstly a temporary solution and thereafter the permanent solution to be implemented.”
“We are hopeful that the temporary solution can be operational by no later than October 11, as our staff and contractors are only able to safely work during the low tide period.
“The permanent repair will require detailed designs and approvals from the relevant authorities and we cannot estimate the time frames for this at present,” she said.
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