Municipality mops up in Margate after sewage spill
The beach is open, but the lagoon remains closed until further notice.
UGU District Municipality says it has – and will continue to – work around the clock to bring last week’s sewerage plant situation back to normal.
The beach was closed when thousands of litres of sewage were seen flowing into the Nkongweni River. Repairs to the Margate sewerage pump were concluded last week and the plant is currently running at optimal level.
“A cleanup operation at Margate lagoon is currently taking place and we are anticipating that this will be concluded within the week,” said municipal spokesman, France Zama.
“In the mean time the lagoon will remain closed until we have satisfied ourselves that all hazards have been eliminated,” he said.
Final environment tests were conducted last Friday to establish the level of contamination in the river and a determination will be made once the sample results have been confirmed.
Restrictions placed on Margate beach have since been lifted and it is again open for public use.
“We extend our apologies to those who have been inconvenienced by this unprecedented occurrence and we reassure them and our tourists that we will continue working around the clock to ensure that we maintain the high standards of our beaches,” added Mr Zama.
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