Beach caution following pipeline leak

AFTER a leak in an effluent pipeline off Alkantstrand was first detected and reported over a week ago, authorities on Friday afternoon posted a belated response.

Viewers and anglers at the dolphin platform on the north breakwater noticed bubbling coming up from the pipeline, where white effluent – possibly gypsum, which is fairly inert – was escaping.

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The matter was reported through the Richards Bay Clean Air Association, which sits on the effluent pipeline forum, but response was slow in coming.

Angling did not seem to be affected and there has been no noticeable effect on the pods of humpback dolphins that inhabit the area.

Read the official warning here:

uMngeni-uThukela Water would like to caution beachgoers and fishermen against using Alkantstrand due to a damaged pipeline, which has led to some industrial wastewater spilling into the sea.

The damaged pipeline safely expels treated industrial water into the depths of the sea in an environmentally sensitive manner.

While we have already dispatched a crew of technical experts on site to determine the cause of the leak and commence with fixing it, as a precautionary measure, we urge the public to avoid using Alkantstrand for recreational activities such as fishing and swimming.

The incident has also been brought to the attention of the relevant authorities and we are working closely with the Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestries and Fisheries.

uMngeni-uThukela has begun a process of sampling water from Alkantstrand. The provision of a safe and reliable service to all our customers and the public remains our top priority.

We endeavour to keep the public and all our stakeholders updated on repair work on the damaged pipeline.

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