Bin it, don’t block it, says Ugu

Ugu District Municipality has shouldered its fair share of blame for sewage spills over the years, but in some cases, the blame can be laid squarely at the feet of irresponsible residents.

Sewer lines are designed to cope with human waste and toilet paper – nothing else. Flushing anything else can cause blockages and flooding of the main lines, as was the case in Uvongo on Tuesday this week.

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The Herald was informed and, after an hour spent searching for the spill, Ugu municipal manager DD Naidoo was contacted.

Within minutes a team arrived at Uvongo pump station two.

The discharge of raw sewage was the result of a blocked manhole in close proximity to the pump station, directly opposite a block of flats.

Pieces of clothing, towels and rags were found in the line, which caused a unpleasant smell, affecting people living in the flats.

The effluent had discharged onto a rocky area and formed pools of stagnant water.

Spokesman for Ugu District Municipality, France Zama said effluent had also discharged directly into the sea. He added however that this had occurred in a rocky area which was not used for recreational purposes.

“The sanitation team was present, attempting to remedy the situation. Disaster management was instructed to carry out mop-up operations as soon as the manhole was unblocked. Environmental health will monitor the situation to ensure compliance,” he said.

The municipality stressed the importance of not flushing items such as material, fats, oils and grease into the sewer lines.

Items which cannot be flushed include baby wipes, sanitary towels, fats, oils and grease, cotton buds and cotton wool, hand towels, tampons, nappies, kitchen roll, waste food, plastic bags, plasters, bandages or condoms.

To prevent future problems, it’s important to ‘Bin it, don’t block it’! 

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