Repairs finished to curb overflows on Umhlatuzana River
This repair and reconnection will ensure that sewage is once again being safely channelled to the treatment works.
THE completion of repairs to the sewer network line along the Umhlatuzana River will help alleviate sewage overflows to the river.
Ward 64 councillor Norman Gilbert said the sewage spill has been a major issue following the damage of the sewer network during the 2022 floods.
“We will monitor the river to see how it improves,” Gilbert said.
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eThekwini Municipality said significant progress has been made to restore the sewer network.
“Significant progress has been made, with the sewer inflow now successfully reconnected to the Umhlatuzana Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW). This achievement has resulted in a significant amount of effluent spillage being contained and prevented from entering the river.
“This critical milestone marks an important step in reducing pollution and protecting the local environment,” eThekwini Municipality said in a statement.
This repair and reconnection ensures that sewage is once again being safely channelled to the treatment works, where it undergoes full processing before discharge.
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The bulk sewer system, currently under refurbishment, services several major catchment areas, including Mariannhill, Pinetown, Tshelimnyama, and parts of Umhlatuzana.
Project executive, Sduduzo Mtshali, highlighted that this initiative is one of the City’s flagship sewer rehabilitation projects, structured into five work packages.
“Commissioning work package one, which includes the manholes and pipelines linking to the treatment facility, is a significant milestone. This work has led to a substantial reduction in pollution, with sewage now flowing directly to the treatment works, instead of overflowing into the river,” said Mtshali.
He added that the newly-installed sewer pipelines have been engineered to withstand extreme weather events, featuring concrete encasement and protective barriers to prevent erosion and ground movement.
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