Councillor champions bioremediation pilot to relieve Sandspruit sewage crisis
Amid rising sewage pollution, Ward 109 councillor Lori Coogan is championing a natural, community-driven solution to restore the Sandspruit River's health, and she's calling on residents to be part of the change.
Once a peaceful urban sanctuary, the Sandspruit River is now the focus of a growing grassroots movement aimed at reversing the damage caused by persistent sewage spills and infrastructure failures.
Leading the charge is Ward 109 councillor Lori Coogan, who is urging residents and local stakeholders to take part in a pilot bioremediation project, a natural, eco-friendly method of treating sewage waste that could help save the river and the life it supports. “We can’t wait for the city to solve this. The state of the Sandspruit is deteriorating, but we have tools at our disposal to start restoring it right now, together.”
Read more: Councillor pushes for bioremediation pilot to save Sandspruit from sewage
For nearly a year, recurring sewage leaks have polluted the riverbanks near Ernest Ullmann Park, threatening birdlife, such as black ducks, coots, and Egyptian geese, and posing serious health risks to the hundreds of residents who use the park every week. “Six sewage leaks were reported in the last two months, including two significant incidents on the riverbank opposite Ernest Ullmann Park, and four more on the side adjacent to it, with one suspected to be from a nearby residential complex. The crisis has now intensified, with sewerage blockages affecting lines along Bowling Avenue between Alma and Lawnmarket roads.”
Coogan added that further down the line, sewage is backing up into domestic drains in private homes near Camelot and Morningside Villas.
Coogan said the problem stems from a combination of aging sewerage infrastructure, overuse, and a build-up of thick, oily sludge in the pipes that restricts flow and causes backups. “These overflows often exit through manholes and flow directly into the river.
Also read: Bryanston resident fed up as sewage spills persist despite repeated complaints
“This pollution is especially devastating during spring, when water birds are nesting and raising young. Ducklings and goslings are too small to escape the contaminated water and are highly vulnerable to illness or death as a result of sewage exposure.”
To address this growing crisis, Coogan proposed a pilot bioremediation project. This initiative would involve using biological agents that digest waste directly from the toilet bowl through to the sewerage line. The treatment reduces sludge build-up, eases pressure in the pipes, and decreases the frequency of blockages and overflows. “Unlike chemical interventions, bioremediation is a natural and environmentally friendly approach. It also holds the promise of being cost-effective and scalable.
“A three-month pilot programme will target residents living on both sides of the Sandspruit River near Ernest Ullmann Park, as well as those along Bowling Avenue, who are currently experiencing sewage backflow into their homes.”
Residents are encouraged to take part in the pilot programme, and become part of a collective effort to maintain, and even improve, the ecological health of the Sandspruit, and reclaim the safety and beauty of this vital community space. “We urgently need to reduce the pressure on these sewage lines. This green corridor is a precious asset to both people and wildlife. Without intervention, the cycle of pollution and risk will continue, but we can make a difference. Where we can take action, we should.”
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