A fact many Newcastle residents will be displeased in learning is that for over a decade, raw sewage has been pumping into the Nguduma River, before flowing into the Ncandu River, running through Newcastle and subsequently into vast township areas—creating a health hazard and an E.coli stronghold.
The source of the problem is a manhole situated on Twee Fontein Farm, just below Fort Amiel and Camelot, which, according to a source, has been reported to the Newcastle Municipality on numerous occasions for many years—but to date, no long-term solution has been implemented.
The source claims, “If anyone drinks this water, they will die.” Adding to this, the source claims the sewage has the potential to contaminate underground water sources, as well as nearby boreholes.
In correspondence seen by the Newcastillian – Online News, following a site visit to the problematic manhole during the month of May, a municipal official admitted that it was discovered the Twee Fontein Sewer Pump Station was also not in good operating conditions.
As a river of sewage streams from the manhole into the Nguduma River, the source claims, “If this had been a first world country, this would have been deemed a national disaster.”
Senior Portfolio Manager of WWF (World Wildlife Fund) South Africa, Angus Burns, adds he has been aware of the issue for over ten years now. “We were told back then, the matter would be resolved.” However, despite the promises made by the Newcastle Municipality, Burns affirms nothing has been done to remedy the matter. With significant parts of the rivers being polluted by raw sewage, he says that sewage contributes to the steady decline of local and surrounding rivers. “Wetlands are also part of the system which is being affected with the pollution.”
The matter is of such grave concern that he explains E.coli levels are through the roof and, as a result, are so high that they have currently rendered the river system virtually unusable. “We have had dead fish in the river, as the sewage levels removes the oxygen. While fish can usually migrate, they can’t get away at the moment,” he states.
After visiting the site, The Newcastillian – Online News discussed the problem with the Strategic Executive Director (SED) Sydney Chauke, who highlights that while this sewage has been problematic, the Newcastle Municipality has not left the matter unattended. “There have been interventions to stop the blockage.” Not shying away from the questions asked, Chauke states that while these said interventions were not necessarily a permanent solution, the Newcastle Municipality was facing obstacles, including the dysfunctional pump station, a matter currently being addressed, and tending to aged and damaged infrastructure.
Furthermore, according to Chauke, the Newcastle Municipality would need a staggering R900 million to remedy the problem completely. “We get R110 million in grants which is spread over various projects, and it can be difficult to make the necessary impact within the community.”
However, he assures that the Newcastle Municipality will establish and submit a business plan to ensure a long-term solution can be found. “With limited resources, it might appear we are moving slow, but as a municipality, it is our drive to create better living conditions for people, despite constraints.”
With the above in mind, the local Municipality’s SED does not deny the potential risks, which is why he emphasised the government entity does not take pride in the fact that people have been placed in this situation. However, he assures the Municipality will work as fast as possible in order to resolve the matter.
As pointed out and previously stated, this issue was brought to the Municipality’s attention over a decade ago; therefore, now, after meeting with Newcastillian – Online News, receiving assurances, and with the impending threat to the various communities acknowledged, coupled with the lack of movement herein—we look forward to following up in the up and coming months on the progress made.
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One Response
Please what is going on, municipality mist make a plan…..!!!!