Sewage pollution: Midvaal Local Municipality responds
The Midvaal Local Municipaty has responded to allegations of pollution after cattle belonging to a local farmer died after drinking from a dam polluted with sewage.
The municipality issued the following statement on Wednesday:
“We want to ensure Midvaal Local Municipality (MLM) residents and all interested parties that though the main Wastewater Treatment Works are currently operating above capacity, no untreated sewage has been or ever will be released from the works.
In February 2015 Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) appointed a Contractor to upgrade the Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW). The Contractor abandoned the works in May 2017 with all the work incomplete and non-operational.
However DWS was appointed a Consultant who is currently on the planning phase for the Meyerton Wastewater Treatment Works.
The anticipated construction commencement is in February 2022 as per the programme by the Consultant.
Concurrent with complains from Mr van Greune on the 29th of June 2021, (MLM) also received a complaint regarding overflowing manholes at the Eskom Glockner Substation property in Rothdene adjacent to the Fouriespruit. MLM responded immediately to unblock the sewer line on this private property as an emergency measure. The work was carried out as an investigative mechanism.
During a repair at the pumping main chamber that was causing a sewer spillage on the 26th of July 2021, MLM sewer team identified another sewer spillage at the manholes on this same property and once again it was unblocked on the same day.
The amount of spillage residue in the area identified at the ESKOM Glockner Substation property, adjacent to the Foursiespruit indicates that it has probably been overflowing over a long period which also confirms Mr van Greune’s concern.
It can be confirmed that those spillages flow into Fouriespruit less than 200m upstream from Mr Van Greune’s dam.
It must be made clear that the dam on Mr. van Greune’s property was constructed approximately 20 years ago by MLM, with Mr. van Greune’s consent to act as a retention dam to capture any sewer spillages from the main pumping line chamber for instance as per the event that happened on the 25th of July 2021.
THE TREND OF IDENTIFIED SPILLAGES MAY SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING: ·
That these spillages happen regularly and have happened for some time. · The ESKOM domestic sewer connection appears to compromise the gravity line feeding the Gordon Street pump station.
The manholes also sit at the lowest point of the surrounding terrain, exacerbating any problems on the gravity line. · Consequently, sewer from a portion of Rothdene then gravitates to the manholes on the ESKOM domestic sewer connection and contribute to challenges on the gravity line. ·
It must be noted that it is MLM sewer spilling at the Fouriespruit, but it is not via an MLM connection but rather via the manholes on the ESKOM domestic sewer connection.
Upon investigation of the MLM billing system, it is apparent that Eskom is not billed for sewer at this premises, nor can MLM find any record of an ESKOM domestic sewer connection for this property.
Internal investigations are underway and will further engage with ESKOM regarding their domestic sewer connection.
After requesting assistance from ESKOM’s drawing office, MLM received drawings today (Wednesday 4 August 2021).
These building were constructing in 1976 and at that time it was not a requirement for parastatals to submit drawings for approval to a local authority, explaining why there was nothing found in MLM’s records regarding this connection.
TEMPORARY MEASURES UNDERTAKEN BY MLM:
1. With Mr Van Greune’s consent, the contaminated water in the dam is currently being pumped out by MLM.
2. MLM will reinstate embankments to close off the diversion to the dam.
3. Mr. van Greune will have to engage with ESKOM directly regarding any changes necessary to prevent future contamination via the domestic sewer connection on ESKOM’s property.
It must be noted that the ESKOM Glockner Substation is private property and MLM is not authorised or mandated to work on the property although we have acted in the recent past to resolve emergency situations.
