Sewage diversion won’t happen
IT will not happen, confirmed a municipal official when questioned about the sewage release into the Umhlatuzana River, set for Tuesday, 26 November.
South Durbanites were up-in-arms as information spread about eThekwini Municipalitys plans to allow millions of litres of raw sewage to flow into the river as part of a maintenance programme on an inlet pump station at the uMhlatuzana Waste Waterworks Treatment Centre.
Residents were irate, voicing concerns over the health hazard to local communities and the wildlife in the river, canals and harbour and the potential for damage to tourism.
Officials within the municipality however claim the health and other essential departments were not aware of the plan and that the necessary community participation meetings and risk assessments had not been completed. This points to the maintenance plan being procedurally flawed and necessitates investigation. It has been established that until a proper plan can be formulated with all the risk factors and viable options investigated, the maintenance will not take place.
– erinh@dbn.caxton.co.za
