Vandalism blamed for water pollution
Vandalism, among others, is said to be the cause of the sewage and other pollution entering private farm dams and rivers around town. This is according to the City of Mbombela (CoM), in response to Lowvelder's previous article on the matter.
The ongoing water pollution in the area’s rivers and dams has been deemed a local ecological disaster with the potential to become a regional one if steps to manage the problem are not taken soon. This is according to local experts and farmers in Barberton.
Claims by residents and farmers suggested that the “dysfunctional” Barberton Wastewater Treatment Plant is the main cause of pollution.
However, CoM’s spokesperson, Joseph Ngala, said while the municipality acknowledged there were some operational issues at the plant, there were other factors largely contributing to pollution in the area.
He said pollution sources upstream from the plant had been identified, such as the Barberton prison farm and other sewage spillage from malfunctioning sewer networks and manholes.
“The municipality is improving the outfall lines by upgrading and with preventative maintenance.
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“There is also an issue of communities putting foreign material down drains, thereby blocking the sewer line, especially in Extensions 11 and 12 of Barberton. That creates operations and maintenance challenges with the given limitations of resources,” said Ngala.
He said another issue was vandalism and theft at the wastewater treatment facility.
“On three occasions during the current refurbishment, motors and pumps were stolen. All these contribute to current substandard effluent discharge.
“Other contributing factors to the pollution in dams and rivers may be the abandoned mines along the catchment, discharging pollutants that wouldn’t necessarily come to the plant, but flow directly into the rivers,” he said.
“The City will endeavour to maximise the efficiency of the operations at the plant. This is ongoing,” said Ngala.
