Sewage, rotting flesh and industrial effluent in Mandeni

Mandeni is rapidly becoming unlivable, according to locals who are sick of the indescribable stink that hangs over the town.

For years they have put up with the stench that defines every day, but as it grows stronger they have started demanding answers.

The stream that runs through town has traditionally taken a beating as runoff from the town’s industrial zone enters it, and it has not helped that an issue with Sappi’s effluent pipeline that runs underground to the Tugela River recently forced them to start pumping into the stream too.

Also read: Mandeni stink infuriates residents

A visit to the stream proved that the sheer odour can literally bring a tear to your eye and permeate your clothing for hours to come, not to mention that it seems to have a severe effect on river life.

Under normal circumstances the mill’s effluent is carried via an underground pipeline to the Tugela River where it discharges a few meters below from where the Mandeni flows into the Tugela.

The leak in the underground pipeline has resulted in the effluent now flowing into the Mandeni stream.

However, Sappi’s Brent Verster told the Courier that nothing they were pumping into the stream was harmful.

“The effluent consists of water, wood fibre, very low concentrations of lignin (natural component of wood), some fine ash (gives the effluent a greyish color), some sodium (concentration 35 times lower than the estuary concentrations) and very low concentrations of sulphates,” said Verster.

“The effluent pH is just above neutral (7.5) whereas normal surface water range is typically between 6.5 and 8.5.”

Verster said Sappi reported the leak to Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and asked for permission to repair the pipeline, which was granted. Repairs on the leak started on February 25 and are expected to take two to three weeks.

Meanwhile, in Kingfisher Road, passers bye will have noticed a large “dead patch” of trees and bushes.

This is where the leak is, and everything around it is completely dead.

Verster denied that any toxic materials had caused what locals have taken to calling the “dead zone,” saying the leak had led the ground to become extremely waterlogged, causing the plants to ‘drown.’

“The mill also pumps our effluent to the dams in the landfill area from time to time. At these dams the area is covered with plants that flourish within these conditions with the same effluent,” said Verster.

He said the area would be rehabilitated once repairs were complete.

Adding to the miasma of Mandeni are heaps upon heaps of animal carcasses being dumped on the roadside near the rail bridge close to Renckens.

Massive piles buzz with flies as skulls are left to bleach in the sun while the flesh rots off the bones.

“Welcome to Mandeni,” said a resident on condition of anonymity, “the only place on earth where you can find that classic mixed smell of industrial effluent, rotting flesh and raw sewage all in one place.”

He was referring to overflowing sewage infrastructure which plagued the town recently but seems to have been taken care of as manholes are no longer discharging sewage into the streets.

Mandeni municipal manager Sizwe Khuzwayo told the Courier they had only been made aware of the mounds of rotting carcasses on February 27 and that he had since instructed law enforcement officers to attend to it.

Residents, on the other hand, say the carcasses have been dumped there for months now.

And as if this were not enough, residents have also noticed the build-up of particulates from the mill on their vehicles, their clothes, in their hair and more.

Aside from the inconvenience, people are seriously concerned about the possible health effects of breathing in these particulates.

According to Sappi the mill monitors the particulate fallout both in the mill and surrounding area, and neither excessive fallout nor any complaints on their register were recorded.

Responding to fears that an environmental disasters was brewing in the area, Sappi communications manager Elijah Masondo said: “Sappi has been operating in Mandeni for many years and remains the main driver of environmental awareness and management in the community.

“There has been a marked improvement in all environmental impacts in the recent years from the mill and Sappi will remain committed as an environmentally responsible company.

“We are very concerned about the state of Mandeni stream that runs through the town.

“We have raised our concerns with the relevant authorities on numerous occasions and we remain committed in supporting the authorities to ensure this is resolved quickly.”

So for now the only answer for residents of Mandeni seems to be: hold your nose and bare it…

>>  Ready to say ‘I Do’ on the Dolphin Coast? Meet the team ready to advise, help and deliver on your big day.

>>  Visit our Education feature for a collection of all the best schools, tutoring systems, and even some colleges and training facilities on the North Coast.

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.

Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram