Fury as foul smoke raises health fears
THICK clouds of foul-smelling smoke emanating from matured sludge at the Northern Wastewater Treatment Works have resulted in residents of several suburbs barricading themselves at home, with the windows and doors firmly shut.
Housewife Manju Sohawan, 58, who lives with her husband and two children in Smithfield Road, Kenville, said the smoke made it difficult to breath and was affecting their health.
“There is thick smoke and a bad smell coming from the bottom of our road. My husband is sick at home and it is affecting his throat. We can’t even open our doors or hang our washing outside, the smell is sticking to everything. My children are also complaining of respiratory problems,” said Sohawan.
According to a source at the sewage treatment plant in Johanna Road, Sea Cow Lake, the old sludge began releasing the rancid smoke after an internal chemical build-up erupted last Sunday.
The eThekwini Fire and Rescue Services were called in, but water was said to have done little to snuff out the smoking sewage. Sand was eventually dumped on the burning mess, which briefly diffused the situation.
Marshall Security and Crisis Medical were flooded with complaints from the public about the putrid thick smoke that hung over Kenville, Sea Cow Lake, Durban North and surrounds.
“Due to environmental conditions such as wind direction, the smoke and odour may be noticeable over the area,” said Kyle van Reenen, spokesperson for Marshall Security and Crisis Medical last week.
“The environmental impact of the smoke has yet to be measured. However, we advise residents to restrict prolonged exposure wherever possible.”
But days later the smoke was back, and according to management at the site, was triggered by a fire lit outside the sewer boundary line.
This fire seemingly filtered into the works and sludge on the boundary allegedly caught alight. It was the sludge that emitted the stench.
The source confirmed on Friday that the sludge would be removed from the area, but said the smoke could take years to be completely cleared.
“Hired contractors plan to dig up the smouldering stock pile, pull it apart and fill it with water, but that could take up to a week. Carbon monoxide could be used to suffocate the smoke.
“The sludge will then be moved to the Department of Agriculture and can only be used for (growing) sugar cane as it’s not a very safe sludge.”
The source said cane was not able to pick up the dangerous metals in the sludge.
Kenville resident Peter Gopichund said he had guests over at the weekend for a wedding celebration, and it was embarrassing. “This fire has been going on for far too long. My wife is diabetic and has a lung problem. She is battling.”
Environmental activist, South Basin Community Environmental Alliance head Desmond D’sa, said treatment works across the city were constantly having to deal with issues due to government not investing in necessities.
“Since the 2010 World Cup, all budgets have been directed from water, sanitation and environmental issues to infrastructure. There is not enough maintenance at the works.”
eThekwini spokeswoman Tozi Mthethwa said the city was looking into the matter.