Unbearable stench from Athlone canal raises Kewtown residents’ ire and disgust

RESIDENTS of Kewtown have expressed deep concern for their health as a dirty canal with piled-up waste has not been cleaned by the City in a number of months.

The Blomvlei river canal, on the corner of Koodoo and Hickory streets in Kewtown, Athlone, has left residents with a bitter taste in their mouths as a “putrid stench” and vermin breeding have become part of their lives in recent months.

Speaking on behalf of residents living in close proximity to the canal, Mesheck Mc Kuchane said: “This matter was already reported during December, when we let the City know that the stench was unbearable.

“It has just worsened now, and despite us having reported this and having received reference numbers for it to be resolved, no action has been taken.

“There has been no clearing up of the canal and we now live with an almost permanent stench in the air.

“There is also the problem of rats and other types of vermin breeding in the piled-up waste. It is unhealthy to live in these conditions,” said Mc Kuchane.

According to Mc Kuchane there have been no incidences of dumping in the river.

“What happens is that the filth comes downstream and is basically gathering here at this end, and because there is consistent or regular cleaning of the canal, its waste piles up and this is what caues our concerns.

“It has been more than three months that we have been sitting with this issue and we can't understand why it is taking so long for the City to assist in having the canal cleared.”

Mayco member for Water and Sanitation Zahid Badroodien said the City was aware of the complaint and had a team on standby to start cleaning by today.

“A maintenance team is assigned and is on standby to attend to the matter. It is noted in the complaint that there is also a foul stench, which relates to a possible discharge of sewage. A trace of the contributing sources needs to be completed to establish possible causes. Only once this process has been completed, may a team commence with cleaning. The City's Water Pollution Branch was contacted on Monday to investigate the source/s of pollution.

“Excessive illegal dumping by communities further upstream caused the litter pile-up. The concrete-lined canal further upstream was cleaned mechanically.

“A team has also been assigned to monitor and clean the canal, but due to ongoing theft and violence in the area, the team has since been withdrawn,” said Badroodien.