For more than a year, blood, effluent and other waste have caused growing environmental concern in Glencoe.

Businesses and residents in the industrial area have, in recent weeks, again complained of blood residue seeping into the streets.

The hosed-down blood waste is flushed into the sewerage system. The Health Department and Umzinyathi District Municipality, which is responsible for the sewer network, previously issued nearby abattoirs with compliance letters allowing this practice, stating that it does not pose a health risk.

Blockages blamed for repeated spillages

Ward 7 committee member Jacques van Greyvenstein, who serves under the water portfolio, previously explained that blockages in the system cause effluent to bubble out of manholes, resulting in blood spilling into the streets.

A similar incident occurred in December last year, when workers found the blockage was caused by broken manhole covers, rocks, iron pipes and large amounts of waste paper. Once the sewer line was cleared, normal flow was restored.

This week, the problem resurfaced. Abattoir representatives Yusri Manuel and Nerika Gopie confirmed that their workers, with the assistance of the Umzinyathi technical team, again stepped in to clear a blockage that led to the spillage.

“The municipality and others have blamed the abattoir for the problem, but this is not the full picture,” they told the Courier. “Our workers are cleaning the drains and have found condoms and plastic blocking the system. The abattoir team is also cleaning up waste left by others.”

While thanking the Umzinyathi technical team for their co-operation, abattoir officials urged residents and businesses not to overload the sewer system with inappropriate waste, warning that blockages ultimately harm the environment and pose health and safety risks to the wider community.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at dundee.courier@caxton.co.za. Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394.