The recent raw sewage issues experienced in Ratanda that the AfriForum Heidelberg branch reported in the last two weeks have ended.
Star Moholobela, manager of water and sanitation works at the Lesedi Local Municipality (LLM) had a specialised team investigating the cause of the blockages.
They found that a section of the outfall sewer pipeline was damaged and that the reduced internal diameter of the affected section was restricting flow.
In addition, some of the manhole cover lids were removed by vandals.
“Foreign substances which were not supposed to be inside the sewer pipeline were discovered. This included (stones, wool, clothes, bed mattresses, cans and plastic bottles),” said Moholobela.
“About 75% of the outfall sewer pipeline internal circumference was covered with clay soil, which affected flow inside the pipeline and led to reduced inflow at Ratanda Waste Water Treatment Works.
“The municipality had to prioritise the sewer spillage and deploy a dedicated technical team to focus on resolving the water and environmental pollution as a result of the raw sewage spillage.
“The municipality acknowledges both the water resources and natural environment were compromised, however, it was practically impossible to resolve the challenges in a short period based on the complexity and magnitude of the problem.
“As part of their corporate social investment NEP Consulting, who are currently appointed by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements for the construction and upgrading of bulk engineering services in support of Obed Mthombeni Nkosi Township, assisted the municipality, at no cost, with the excavation of the deep underground outfall sewer pipeline and the replacement of the affected portion of the pipeline.”
Moholobela further said, “It is against the complexities and magnitude of the work that the municipality had to compromise the natural environment as well as surface water resources as a result of emergency work and mitigate against further sewer pollution of the environment and the Blesbokspruit.”
There were plans to navigate a way forward in dealing with the issues – the municipality will consult with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, to assist with appropriate solutions in rehabilitating the sewer-polluted natural environment. The sewer spillage into the Blesbokspruit will also be reported to the Department of Water and Sanitation as custodians of the water resources.
LLM is planning an educational programme about the impact of theft and vandalism on the municipal infrastructure.
Due to the magnitude of the programme there will be other stakeholders involved in the programme.
Moholobela concluded, “The municipality has already commenced with the public awareness campaigns as it is celebrating National Sanitation Week along with other external stakeholders. The outreach programme started in Impumelelo/Devon on May 23 and it will move to different settlements as per the environmental forum’s programme.”
