THE Umhlanga Wastewater Treatment Works is undergoing a long-overdue R60m refurbishment in a bid to resolve ongoing sewage spills, odours, and environmental concerns that have plagued the area for years.

Ward 35 councillor Bradley Singh confirmed the multi-million-rand refurbishment is underway, despite a four-month delay in getting the project off the ground. He noted that the 2022 floods caused extensive structural damage to one of the main purifiers at the facility, which had to be decommissioned after it failed completely.

“This plant has been limping along using only one treatment unit, which also failed about two weeks ago. We’ve managed to temporarily bring it back online using generators, but the entire system is under strain,” said Singh.

“The site is currently being upgraded to not only restore full capacity, but to accommodate the increasing waste volumes as the northern areas of Durban continue to grow,” he added.

Wastewater from areas such as La Lucia, Homeford, Shellborne, Armstrong Avenue and the Whalebone Pier is pumped through the Shellbourne pump station and into the Umhlanga plant. With one facility out of action, excess waste had to be diverted to the Phoenix plant, a temporary fix that did little to address the long-term risks.

Residents have had to deal with the consequences, including the repeated closure of Umhlanga’s popular beaches due to sewage spills. The stench and health risks have prompted a wave of complaints.

Communication needed

Chairperson of the Umhlanga Residents and Ratepayers Association (URRA) Terri MacLarty expressed cautious optimism about the upgrade but criticised the lack of community consultation.

“This is a tourism-driven area that suffers deeply when infrastructure fails. If this upgrade is done properly, it could bring massive relief and benefit to the community,” said MacLarty.

“But there has been no transparency. We weren’t consulted, and we’re still trying to obtain information, especially about the Armstrong pump station which was due for repair by December 2024 and is still incomplete.”

MacLarty confirmed that the URRA receives frequent complaints from residents regarding odours, noise, and potential health risks.

“There are regular sewage spills, and they’ve severely affected the community’s quality of life.”

Despite these concerns, she says the association is committed to holding the eThekwini Municipality accountable and is seeking oversight into how the project is being funded.

“We’ve kept an open line of communication with the municipality where possible, and we will be pushing for answers. Until the infrastructure is adequately upgraded to handle current and future demand, we strongly oppose any new developments in the area,” MacLarty said.

Tourism

While the refurbishment is expected to take several months, the hope is that this investment will finally put an end to Umhlanga’s wastewater woes and restore confidence in the safety and cleanliness of one of Durban’s most iconic coastal destinations.
Umhlanga Tourism vice-chairperson Sabelo Didi said the organisation is thrilled about the refurbishment.

“This exciting development brings us even more joy and motivation to highlight the beauty and charm of Umhlanga to both locals and tourists. It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase what our destination has to offer, and we look forward to welcoming even more visitors to our clean, stunning beaches and attractions,” he said.

Municipal comment

Spokesperson for eThekwini Municipality Gugu Sisilana said the primary goal is to refurbish the plant so it can adequately treat sewage from its designated catchment area and ensure compliance with environmental standards.

“The refurbishment will significantly enhance service delivery for both residents and businesses. It will also unlock opportunities for further development in the region by ensuring reliable sewage treatment capacity. Once refurbished the facility will effectively treat sewage, eliminate pollution, and ensure that effluent discharged into the environment meets regulatory standards,” she said.

“Residents are encouraged to engage with our community liaison officers who have been deployed specifically for this project. They serve as the direct point of contact for public input or concerns. We remain committed to improving infrastructure, protecting our environment, and ensuring high-quality service delivery for all residents of eThekwini,” she added.

The project is being supervised by Naidu Consulting, with Macala Fuze Development as the main contractor. It is expected to be completed within 18 months, subject to project conditions.

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