A story was run in February about a beautiful, picture-perfect dam in Park Lane being turned into a blackish sewer dam.
From February up until now, nothing has been done about it, say residents. The water has turned completely black and is covered by green algae.
The large dam at the back of Lakeside Mews has three main sewer lines flowing into it. The problem of sewage entering the dam started a long time ago, but was attended to by uThukela workers. However, raw effluent is pouring into the dam yet again and has been doing so for almost eight months now.
Initial story: Sewer flows into Ladysmith dam in residential area
Read more: Sewer flows like a river in Ladysmith industrial area
According to Lakeside Mews homeowner John Bennett, the water was a perfect colour last year, but from the time he has moved in, the water has turned a blackish colour and has a horrible smell. Green algae has covered the entire dam.
The houses at Lakeside Mews are very close to the water’s edge and the smell goes into the homes when the wind blows.
Residents say now that the smell coming from the dam is so bad, they cannot even eat in their own homes and the stench makes them want to throw up.
“Will something only be done when a child in the area gets sick?” asked one furious resident.
The dam has large barbel fish in it, and also a large variety of bird life and Egyptian Geese. The dam’s animal life could be lost due to the constant sewage seeping into the water.
Residents in the area have small children, posing a health risk to them.
Councillor Abbas Warasally visited the dam in the past and had the problem fixed, yet now he says it’s been over eight months that nothing has been done. He asks the question: “When will uThukela do something about the dam? It cannot be left for so many months without anything being done!”
The residents want their dam back to normal, without the smell, and have crystal-clear water yet again.
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