The Highvelder published an article exclusively online, ‘EXCLUSIVE ONLINE- Manhole in Pres Fouche Street no longer overflows’, less than a month ago, yet the same manhole is again overflowing.
The Highvelder inspected the site on 10 September.
The sewage flows unobstructed in President Fouche Street in a stream that leads to the Pet Dam.
Mr Athol Stark, president from Ermelo Business Association (EBA), sent a letter about Pet Dam’s environmental and noise pollution to Ms Gladness Majola, municipal manager of Msukaligwa Municipality.
The letter stated that the contaminated water flowing into the dam is a threat to the public and the ecology.
The water is toxic from sewage spills and water that runs off from drainage systems in Ermelo.
Members of EBA requested that the municipality takes control of this situation and urgently address this matter.
The Highvelder sent media inquiries to Mr Mandla Zwane, spokesman from Msukaligwa Municipality on 10 September.
Mr Zwane said: “The technical department for the sewer section has visited the area.
“The sewage spill can be attributed to aging sewerage infrastructure, population growth, and foreign objects in the sewerage infrastructure.”
Most of the pipes join in President Fouche Street as it is the mainline, to subsequently transport the sewage to a sewage plant in Wesselton next to Lindile Secondary School.
“The municipality apologises to everyone who has been affected by the sewage spill. We appeal to the community to report any spill to the municipal call centre for prompt responses.”
He added that the municipality has since requested the sanitation section to monitor the situation on a weekly basis.
