Swift action resolves Palmiet sewage spill
The cause of the spill was identified as a blocked main sewer line, which had caused raw sewage to spew out into the Palmiet River.
LOCAL Westville councillors are working to find a solution to avoid future river sewage spills into the Palmiet River which occurred last Friday, 2 March.
Ward 30 councillor, Warren Burne, said he started receiving complaints from residents about the pollution of the Palmiet River in the Palmiet Nature Reserve early that morning.
Immediately, the DA councillors in Westville and Pinetown sprang into action.
Cllr Caelee Laing of Ward 24 inspected the river in person and noted that the water was green in colour at the Palmiet Nature Reserve. Other reports to the councillors were that further upstream, the water was red in colour.
Luckily, residents had already reported the matter to the municipality so a reference number had already been issued and the matter was under investigation.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Sewage pollutes Palmiet River
Suspecting that the source of the contamination was upstream, Cllr Laing immediately contacted the Wastewater Network Operations branch.
She also notified Ward 18 councillor, Mel Brauteseth, who also followed up throughout the day to find out where the blockage originated in her ward. Officials were dispatched and the source of the contamination was traced to a municipal sewer drain in Devon Place, Pinetown.
The cause of the spill was identified as a blocked main sewer line, which had caused raw sewage to spew out into the Palmiet River. By 4pm, the source of the contamination was stopped by the officials on site.
A full report has been requested by Cllr Brauteseth on the cause of the blockage so that this can be avoided in the future.
The councillors are still being contacted by residents with images of dead fish, eels and other river life.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of so many fish and the effects of this spill. We have been contacted numerous times by many residents regarding sewage and pollution in the river and will continue in following up on a way forward on this devastating problem,” said Cllr Laing.
“This is an excellent example of residents, councillors and officials working together to find a speedy resolution to a pressing problem. The DA councillors in Westville and Pinetown are extremely sensitive to ecological issues and call on residents in the area to be vigilant and report instances of environmental contamination as soon as they arise,” said Cllr Brauteseth.
ALSO READ: Palmiet River pollution causes unbearable odour
Cllr Burne also commended the municipal officials and his councillor colleagues for dealing with the problem so quickly.
“It shows what can be done when residents, officials and councillors work together. It is a sad reality that these spills happen from time to time.
“It is unacceptable that these incidents occur, and officials are encouraged to be more proactive to ensure that incidents such as this spill are not repeated,” he said.
Nick Evans of the KwaZulu-Natal Amphibian and Reptile Conservation said he grew up in the Palmiet Nature Reserve, having fun, exploring, learning so much about nature and seeing so many amazing animals, however, to see it in this disgusting state is heartbreaking, but not uncommon.
“Companies have often illegally dumped chemicals in the river. I hope the wildlife can bounce back,” added Evans.
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