WATER POLLUTION: COMPLAINT FILED
The Freedom Front+ (FF+) filed a complaint with the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) against the Polokwane Municipality last Monday over a lifethreatening situation involving sewerage effluent being dumped into the Blood River.
During an inspection in loco with FF+ councillor in the municipality, Susan Clarke on Tuesday, it was clear that sewage that overflows from the sewer pump station at Extension 44, is diverted into the Blood River and therefrom into the Sand River.
On Friday there was a slight improvement, however, a foul smell was still evident where the Sand River crosses Nelson Mandela Drive at the bridge.
The water from the Sand River is used for household purposes by residents of the farms and small-holdings adjoining the river. Water from the river may also enter the ground water resources that feed the boreholes that are used by the municipality to augment its water supply and an outbreak of cholera cannot be discounted.
Communications and marketing manager of the municipality, Matshidiso Mothapo confirmed late last Tuesday that the matter is receiving attention and explained that there are long term solutions to curb the recurrence of the issue.
“The municipality has experienced events of spillages as a result of the overloaded sewer network within the Polokwane urban areas and recently due to load-shedding blackouts,” Mothapo said. He added that the Extension 44 sewer pump station challenges are receiving attention from time to time to ensure that whenever there are blockages, such are immediately attended to. “All the pumps are operational and the municipality intends to install standby generators to ensure supply at all times,” Mothapo said.
“As a long-term solution, Polokwane has already started with the implementation of the regional wastewater treatment plant that will accommodate all excess flow coming from the existing and new developments around the city. The first phase of the project is earmarked to be commissioned in 2025,” Mothapo concluded.
Last week, SAHRC provincial manager Victor Mavhidula could not confirm whether the complaint has been received by his office. “Received correspondence goes through an administrative process and after an initial assessment, we acknowledge receipt to the complainant,” Mavhidula explained.