Raw sewage threatens river
Residents feel it will be only a matter of time before the wildlife disappears.
POSSIBLE contamination of the water at Margate beach is causing concern.
This is after chunks of raw sewage were seen floating into the Nkongweni River along the eco-friendly Faerie Glen Estate last week.
The sewage started flowing into the river from the Margate sewer works number four pump station.
Residents at Faerie Glen Estate reported their findings a week ago to Ugu District Municipality after experiencing the strong stench of sewage.
One resident said he couldn’t believe that Ugu regarded the problem so lightly.
“This is a huge problem. When staff from the municipality inspected the river last week they told us that it was leaves and dry grass,” said one resident.
“It’s very clear that millions of litres of sewage were flowing down the river which will make its way onto Margate beach,” he said.
The reporter could even smell the sewage at the entrance to Faerie Glen Estate last Friday.
After talking to more residents, some said that, sadly, marine and bird life had perished over the recent weeks.
“We have lots of big fish and other birdlife living in and along the banks of this beautiful river. To witness this dilemma just breaks my heart. We can’t even braai outside because of the stench,” said Johan Roux.
He added that this was a serious problem and that a lot of people could get very sick. Symptoms of sewage contamination in humans include diarrhoea, skin fungus, fever, tiredness, worms, hepatitis, stomach cramps, parasites, unexplained viruses and sudden weight loss.
By Friday last week the sewage had not reached Margate beach.
Ugu spokesman Sipho Khuzwayo said that sewer clean-up teams, together with the environmental health practitioners, had been deployed to evaluate the contamination and had commenced cleaning up along the river.
He said that the problem started after a spillage at number four pump station at the Margate sewer works.
“The spillage is a result of a faulty signal switch at the number four pump station. This has resulted in a spillage into the Nkongweni River that goes past the Faerie Glen as well as onto Margate beach,” said Mr Khuzwayo.
On Tuesday this week he added that the municipality had taken samples for testing in the different areas.
“Once we have the results of the tests it will determine the municipality’s next step. Ugu sincerely apologises to any affected residents, visitors and businesses due to this occurrence,” he said.
Customers are reminded to utilise the municipality’s Customer Care Centre numbers 08000 WATER (92837) or (039) 688 5830/36 for any water and sanitation related queries.
By Wednesday this weekraw sewage was still seen floating along the river in Faerie Glen Estate.
According to Mr Roux a team from Ugu was sent last Sunday but only sprayed water into the river and then left.
