Sewage spill in bird park waterways

“Absolutely horrifying” was the reaction from members of Toti Conservancy at the recent state of the waterways in the Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary.

On Monday morning, 20 July a thick layer of what appeared to be raw sewage lay on the top of the water.

The municipality’s natural resources department aerated the water from about 8am in an effort to minimise the effect on the park’s birdlife.

A walk further into the park with the conservancy’s Laura Taylor and Corinne Winson revealed discoloured and putrid smelling water upstream.

Last week Maple Road stream watchdog, Jen Adam complained about the water having an orange and reddish tint, with a distinctly sweet smell.

“The stream smelt so bad on Monday morning, I decided to see if all the pollution we have been having for the last week had any impact on the bird park,” said Jen.

“I was totally shocked and appalled to find thick brown sludge almost bubbling on the water. It appeared to be raw sewage. This is totally unacceptable.”

According to Laura there was a blocked sewer in Southgate last week, but this was repaired on Sunday, 19 July. It is possible the sewage in the bird park stream is of a result of the blocked sewer.

“There is a sewer pit in KwaMakhutha above Southgate that often overflows into the stream,” said Laura. “Whenever the pumpstation in KwaMakhutha fails, the sewage overflow ends up in the stream. Unfortunately the sewer system is designed that should it fail, the sewage flows into the stormwater lines, which ends up in our waterways.”

The cost of the recent sewage spill was counted on Tuesday morning when municipal workers fished out scores of dead fish at Toti Lagoon.

In response to the Sun’s query on Monday, eThekwini head of communications, Tozi Mthethwa said the city is not aware of any sewage deposits into the Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary. “However, the relevant unit has been tasked to investigate the matter and take the necessary action, should there be action required.”