Reward, after sewer pump station set alight in Wallacedene
THE City has offered a R5 000 reward for information that could lead to a successful arrest or recovery of stolen infrastructure from the sewer pump station in Wallacedene.
It was torched by arsonists over the weekend. Preliminary investigations showed that both the electrical and mechanical equipment required for the pump station to function was completely destroyed in the blaze, thus it is unable to operate.
The City said the costs to repair this facility, which has a critical function in conveying sewage from homes and businesses to wastewater treatment plants, could amount to hundreds of thousands of rand.
“This act of vandalism has resulted in sewer overflows and flooding at the pump station as well as the linked sewer network throughout Wallacedene. This will also impact on the surrounding communities and the receiving natural environment.
“With winter rains looming and the pump station not working, rainwater will dilute the sewage and spill into the streets, giving rise to potential health concerns. Furthermore, raw sewage that enters the environment will affect water quality in the system, making it unusable for water users downstream, such as farmers.
“The level of infrastructure destruction caused by this criminal incident will see this very critical pump station out of operation for quite some time, which will also negatively impact the surrounding areas over the same period. The public is assured that this matter is a priority for us and our team will continue to monitor this matter closely,” said councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.
He said that the Water and Sanitation sewer teams were currently exploring a multitude of options to eliminate and “reduce the impact as far as it is possibly practical to do so”.
Wallacedene councillor Siviwe Nodliwa said that there was “nothing in particular at the moment” which could be said, it was a result of the fire that affected the sewer.
“The impact now is not currently seen but I think in the long run we will feel the pain. The question right now is when is it going to be replaced. There are officials responsible for that who are going to tell us how much damage was done and when it can be fixed.”
“The City, residents and other stakeholders need to all work together to clamp down on theft and vandalism because these selfish acts by thieves and vandals result in sewer blockages and overflows in the streets of our communities,” said Badroodien.
Anyone who provides information can do so confidentially.
All witnessed or potential incidents must be reported immediately to the City’s public emergency call centre: 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.