Raw sewage river threat again
Tons of raw sewage is floating along a river which leads to Margate main beach.
CHUNKS of raw sewage were once again seen floating in the Nkongweni River near Faerie Glen Estate last Thursday.
This is the second time in a matter of five weeks that raw sewage has flowed into the river. During the last sewage spillage, Ugu spokesman Sipho Khuzwayo said the problem started after a spillage at the Margate sewerage works. He added that the spillage is a result of a faulty signal switch at the number four pump station.
“This is a serious problem and a lot of people could get very sick. Why is Ugu not concerned about this?” asked Johan Roux, a resident at Faerie Glen Estate.
He added that the fish and birdlife along this eco-friendly estate is in danger.
“Imagine this reaching Margate beach. Is Ugu District Municipality doing this deliberately?” asked another resident.
Yesterday (Wednesday) Mr Roux was contacted about the situation and he confirmed that he had not seen any official along the river or any chemicals sprayed into the river.
Paddy Norman, chairman of the Southern KwaZulu-Natal branch of the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (Wessa) said the river area is very badly damaged and needs serious attention soon. He added that a meeting was held with the Hibiscus Coast Municipality environmental sub-committee last Thursday, where issues pertaining to the river were discussed.
“Something needs to be done soon, if not, fish and birdlife along this river will die,” said Mr Norman.
“We need to first establish where the sewage is coming from and then steps can be taken to clean up the river,” he said.
Ugu District Municipality was contacted last Thursday for comment and, at the time of going to press, the Herald had not received a reply.
