Electrical fault blamed for sewage spill in Gonubie
WIRELESS data failure, caused by an electrical fault, has been blamed for a sewage spill into the sea at popular Black Rock at Gonubie.
Buffalo City Metro spokeswoman Bathandwa Diamond said the cause of the leak was identified as an electrical control fault at the Black Rock pump station which affected the pump operation and the telemetry – which is the automatic measurement of data transmitted wirelessly from the remote pump station.
Diamond said the fault was attended to “immediately” after being informed yesterday morning.
When questioned on the possible health hazard this sewage leak posed to those who frequented the area she said: “We are in the process of taking samples to our labs for testing.
“Currently the issue has been attended to and resolved.
“The pump station is back on line,” said Diamond.
The Dispatch was at the site of the sewage leak around 9am yesterday.
The stinking stuff was pouring steadily out of an outlet and down the stony embankment that led into the rock pools below.
There was a strong stench and an abundance of flies buzzing about.
The spill was first noticed by a member of the popular Nubians Facebook group, who posted a video showing a stream of the sewage pouring from the Black Rock pump station directly into the ocean.
Black Rock is a a popular spot for surfing and fishing at Gonubie and featured in a story published in the the Dispatch yesterday.
Dispatch reader and Gonubie resident PA Brink wrote about a group of five surfers he saw risking a possible shark attack to have a few rides when a shoal of sardines was passing by on Saturday.
While the act was met with disbelief by Brink, who fulminated that it was “irresponsible, reckless and stupid”, in his response, champion surf and angling journalist Nick Pike said that the surfers were all experienced and knew what they were getting into.
When told about the leak yesterday, Pike said: “I would rather surf with a shark than sewage. I am heartbroken.
“Sharks are natural and belong there. Sewage does not help our cause. It is so offensive.”