Sewage spill in Umdloti blamed on sand infiltration and budget constraints
Recurring sewage spills are also a result of people flushing solid objects such as sanitary products into the sewer lines, with illegal stormwater connections further contributing to the problem.
Sand infiltration from the Sibaya Node 5 development, the protracted municipal workers’ strike and budget constraints caused last week’s considerable sewage spill in Umdloti.
This according to eThekwini municipality spokesperson Gugu Sisilana, and municipal sewer expert Shane Botha.
“Upon arrival at the site, the contractor discovered that the sump level was very high at 2.8 metres, and both pumps were not running. Pump two was supposed to be operational but had tripped because of a blocked inlet suction pipe. Pump one was started manually but also tripped because of the same issue.
“A subsequent investigation also revealed an excessive amount of sand entering the station, causing recurrent blockages on the suction lines,” said Sisilana.
To prevent recurring overflows, Sisilana said the City has engaged with the networks area engineer to conduct regular sump de-silting.
According to Botha, eThekwini municipality’s area superintendent for reticulation and pump station operations, the sand came from the Sibaya housing development above the pump station and town.
The excessive sump level was owing to a lack of budget to do adequate sump cleaning, which was compounded by the effect of the three-week worker strike.
Indicative of Umdloti’s “whack-a-mole” fight with recurring sewage spills, another overflow occurred shortly after the one at the Node 5 station had been repaired, this time at the South Beach pump station.
Residents and Human Rights Day weekend holidaymakers’ beach fun was dealt a blow by the stench of raw sewage overflowing onto the beach.
Inspecting the pump station, the Courier noticed the bar screen had been blocked by solid objects such as rags, sanitary products, plastic, and balls of fatty solids.
Botha said this was largely owing to people flushing these things down the drains, as well as illegal stormwater connections into sewer lines.
He explained sand blown onto beachfront properties’ driveways got washed into the stormwater system and then often via illegal connections into sewer pipes when it rained.
The sand then latches onto the cooking fat. As water comes along, the fatty sand balls roll down the system and increase in size along the way – some as large as cricket balls.
Flushing dish cloths and other unwanted solid materials down the drain exacerbates the problem.
“You cannot believe the number of rags we take out every day at each pump station. The screens are designed to catch such unwanted objects and we have to rake it all out and remove it,” said Botha.
He urged homeowners, especially those in complexes, to be more aware of what they flush and to make sure their stormwater systems are not connected to the sewer system.
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.
