Concerns over high E. coli levels

THE Westville Ratepayers Association (WRA) has raised their concerns over the lack of urgency from eThekwini Municipality as they are faced with failed delivery services. The association claims that they have been inundated with calls from residents regarding the smell of raw sewage in the river systems in the area.

ALSO READ: Westville Ratepayers association inviting the community to join the association

Upon the outcry from residents, the WRA said they undertook to investigate this to determine how serious the situation is. They said water samples were taken from two different locations and sent for testing.

“The results were shocking beyond belief. We immediately engaged with the municipality regarding the seriousness of the situation, but as expected, the City buried its head in the sand. Over the past few weeks, we have seen reports of fish dying in the estuary in Isipingo and also at Blue Lagoon. The WRA was also given the result of the testing in Isipingo, and it confirms dangerously high E. coli levels,” stated Vic Naidoo, the secretary of the association.
The association expressed their concerns over the lack of response from the City, saying the City has a long book of excuses. “The City is using the excuse of aging infrastructure as the reason, but what they fail to admit is that the discussion to begin the repairs started 10 years ago. The City also failed to use money set aside for repairs and maintenance,” they stated.

ALSO READ: Westville learners set to compete nationally

They said this has led to high rates which the residents are responsible for paying. “This is totally unfair as we are being double-billed while the City continues its wasteful and fruitless expenditure. Residents have logged multiple complaints and obtained reference numbers from eThekwini Municipality, and the WRAs have been given these reference numbers to the councillors but no action yet,” said the organisation.

The eThekwini Municipality was not available for comment by the time of publication.

The WRA called on the residents of Westville to join the association in the effort to form one big voice in continuation with their work. A public meeting will be held on September 28, starting at 19:00 at the Westville Civic Centre.