Nappy dumping raises health fears in Hattingspruit area
Residents raise alarm after nappies are dumped near a Hattingspruit stream, sparking health fears over Dundee’s water supply.
Residents of Hattingspruit have raised alarm after piles of disposable nappies were discovered dumped near a stream flowing into the Verdruk Dam, which supplies drinking water to Dundee.
Some of the soiled nappies were seen floating in the water, sparking fears of contamination. A nearby farmer, who passes the area with her cattle, described the sight as “shocking and dangerous.”
Locals say the dumping has also become an eyesore in the village, with refuse piling up around municipal dumpsters. Resident Sonja de Jager warned: “This is not just about pollution, it’s about people’s lives. Families, children, and livestock all depend on this water.”
The Helping Hands organisation alerted municipal officials, who sent workers to clean up the area. By Friday the sites were cleared, but residents believe the response is only temporary and warn the problem will persist unless stricter measures and awareness campaigns are enforced.
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