Process unit malfunction results in polluted Umbilo River
According to the municipality, the Umbilo Wastewater Treatment Works - situated in the Queensburgh area - has experienced the failure of two process units.
POLLUTION in the Umbilo River raised the concern of nearby residents who are concerned about their well-being as the stench is unbearable and the water evidently unhealthy.
Mosely Park resident, Ben Jonck said, “It started about eight weeks ago, where there was a daily discharge of raw waste into the river. Normally they do it once a month. Now there is foam on the water and although it looks like a foam bath, it smells like a loo.”
According to the municipality, the Umbilo Wastewater Treatment Works – situated in the Queensburgh area – has experienced the failure of two process units.
These were mechanical equipment failures (syphon failures on the clarifier and centre bearing failure on a primary settling tank) which have led to the malfunction of these two units.
The units had to be tyrned off to effect the necessary repairs, resulting in only a 50 per cent plant availability and an overloading of the remaining primary settling tank and clarifier.
This led to the process being compromised, with the remaining units unable to handle the load and partially treated effluent being discharged to the river.
“Repairs to the units have been effected and the units are now back online. It should take a further two weeks to recover the process to full compliance standards. The effluent is currently being disinfected to reduce public health impacts on the river. The river will be aerated to increase oxygen levels and assist aquatic life. It will also be monitored and sampled daily with samples being sent to the laboratory for testing,” said municipality’s head of communicatins, Tozi Mthethwa.
Residents are prohibited from using the river water below the treatment works for consumption or any recreational activities during this period.
The affected areas will be demarcated with relevant signage.
The municipality will undertake all necessary action to rehabilitate the river once the treatment works reaches full compliance.
“We regret any inconvenience caused by this situation which was beyond our control. We thank the affected communities for their patience and understanding,” said Mthethwa.
