Newcastle municipality responds to sewage concerns

Two sewage leaks made headlines earlier in the month.

At the time, residents reported the overflow of effluent in Hutten Heights (Gemsbok Avenue) and an isolated area of Aviary Hill (Peacock Crescent).

Concerns related to the health implications thereof.

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At the time, the municipality failed to meet a deadline for response, but has since provided its comment on the matter.

“The municipality relies heavily upon the public to report water and sewer issues to the Customer Care Call Centre (086 014 4144) in order that they may be efficiently dealt with,” read a response forwarded from the municipal Communications Unit.

According to the response, the Gemsbok Avenue overflow was reported by the public, and a blockage was cleared within 24 hours.

The Peacock Crescent blockage was reportedly handled ‘within hours’.

The municipality’s response also stated that Gemsbok Avenue had changed usage from a purely residential suburb, to one where businesses and a few restaurants had opened their doors.

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Officials doubted grease traps had been installed.

“The upper Peacock Crescent area is a very active building area and this generally causes a large increase in sand, grit and rubble to ingress the sewers.”

In conclusion, the municipality said uThukela Water monitored and reported on the condition of local rivers to the Ngagane Catchment Management Forum.

This forum was coordinated by the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation.

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