End in sight for Westbrook’s sewage woes

After months of being confronted by toxic, fetid pools of sewage near Westbrook’s main beach, the seaside community can finally expect some relief.

The installation of replacement pumps at the sewerage station and increased police presence mean Westbrook residents will again enjoy the amenities once rated as a Blue-Flag beach.

The Courier has twice reported on the non-functioning sewerage pumps at Westbrook which caused thousands of litres of raw sewage flowing into the ocean.

This aside from the putrid odour permeating over the once serene community.

“I go for a walk or a run every evening, but sometimes it is unbearable with the smell emanating from the pump station. It becomes even worse when you get down near the beach where people party and do their ablutions wherever they choose,” said lifelong Westbrook resident, Krishna Govender.

The main pump station was vandalised 5 months ago and sewage has been consistently overflowing ever since. Until this week, the solution by the eThekwini Metro was to pay 2 guards to monitor the station 24/7.

On Monday, however, workers from Ecochem Pumps (contracted by eThekwini) were on site, installing machinery which should lead to a functional system.

The workmen further confirmed they would be doing installations at multiple non-functioning stations between Westbrook and La Mercy this week.

Barring further vandalism, the new pumps should last for between 5 and 15 years depending on maintenance levels.

The second pressing issue in the community was that of revellers descending on the main beach parking lot.

“Large groups of people come down and party into the early hours of the morning. It’s obviously very loud for the people that live close by, but there is inevitably litter and other waste that needs to be cleaned up the next morning,” said Govender.

Since December 5, eThekwini metro officers have been stationed at the beach, ensuring that residents and tourists alike can enjoy the best of what Westbrook has to offer.

More recently, a checkpoint has been set up at the entrance to the seaside portion of Westbrook, where officers search cars for alcohol.

They could not confirm when they would be leaving, but expected it to be between January 10 and 15.