A funky smell hung over the area surrounding the Riverview Waste Water Treatment Plant this weekend, leaving many residents wondering what the sour smell on the breeze was and where it came from.
On Friday, September 14, a fire engulfed the Riverview Waste Water Treatment Plant consuming everything in its path and causing some destruction in a neighbouring open field as well.
The fire engulfed the Riverview Waste Water Treatment Plant, causing the “dry sludge” to produce a repugnant smell.
The fire was quickly extinguished by the fire department, who were on the scene as soon as the fire had become a threat to the waste water treatment plant.
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They managed to snuff out the fire but were unable to stop the “dry sludge”, a by-product of the waste water treatment process, from smouldering.
WITBANK NEWS visited the Riverview Waste Water Treatment Plant on Sunday, September 16, at which time the “dry sludge” was still producing a fair amount of smoke.
Mrs Phumzile Mabena explained how the blaze came to be and what the “funny” smell in the air was.
Mrs Phumzile Mabena, an employee at the Riverview Waste Water Treatment Plant, explained that the danger caused by the fire had long since passed, and that it was now a matter of waiting for the “dry sludge” to burn out.
Mrs Mabena also stated that no one had been injured during the blaze, and that the damage to the waste water treatment plant was incredibly minor, if any.
