UPDATE: Foul smell in Centurion due to illegal oil dump
The metro advised residents to stay indoors and close windows and doors when the odour is detected, and avoid the river downstream of the Sunderland Ridge treatment plant until further notice.
The noxious smells reported in parts of Centurion are caused by the illegal dumping of oil by a liquid waste service provider, according to the metro.
It advised residents to stay indoors and close windows and doors when the odour is detected and avoid the river downstream of the Sunderland Ridge treatment plant until further notice.
Residents southwest of Centurion reported a foul smell in the air since Monday evening.
“I can taste it in my mouth,” said resident Lindi Botha.
Botha said she was experiencing burning eyes, a scratchy throat, skin irritation, nausea, dizziness and headaches.
She said other residents had told her they were experiencing similar symptoms.
“I couldn’t drink water on Monday as the taste of gas was so strong in my mouth, I felt scared.”
Residents in Raslouw said they were worried about the health risks as the smell was making them sick.
The smell has been described as either gas, oil, sulphur, or burning tyres.
The city has since investigated what was causing the smell.
“Investigations revealed the source as illegal dumping of oil by a liquid waste service provider to a private company within the process of the Sunderland Ridge wastewater treatment works (WWTW),” the metro said in a statement.
It said the situation was currently being monitored as the unpleasant odour was not the only concern.
“The quality of the effluent being released by the WWTW might also be compromised, which may have significant detrimental impacts to the natural environment downstream.”
The metro said it was looking for ways to mitigate the environmental impact of the illegally dumped oil on the environment.
“Please also note that the Tshwane Green Scorpions is currently working together with the national Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries to charge the said liquid waste service provider and the company in question criminally in terms of the National Environmental Management Act.”
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