Another Briardene sewage leak raises a stink
It is believed the hazardous waste is emanating from a burst or blocked pipe at the Briardene Informal Settlement, which is located behind the business premises.
SEWAGE seeping into a business property in Briardene has once again raised health concerns for the staff on site.
One of the owners of the business on Acutt Avenue, Graeme Campbell, last week said he feared “a cholera outbreak or worse” as their initial attempts to report the issue to the municipality had been in vain.
For over two weeks 30 workers have had to endure the stench of raw effluent.
It is believed the hazardous waste is emanating from a burst or blocked pipe at the Briardene Informal Settlement, which is located behind the business premises.
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In a desperate attempt to alleviate the issue, management and staff have dug a small trench to drain the sewage out of the property.
When the Northglen News visited the site on Tuesday last week general manager, Brad Howe confirmed the Department of Water and Sanitation (EWS) had inspected the property the previous day. However, he said they had received no indication of what was to happen next.
The most frustrating part, he added, was the lack of communication from the authorities.
“We have not received an update or any further information. We still don’t know what the issue is or when it will be resolved. What do we now tell our staff?” he asked.
What’s more, Howe said this was not the first time they had raised concerns regarding such issues.
For years the staff have had to endure flooding from storm water or sewage leaking from blocked or burst pipes.
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In September last year Durban North ward councillor, Shaun Ryley urged the eThekwini Municipality to take action. Ryley said the residents from the informal settlement were also being affected. At the time one of the roads to the settlement had been washed away.
The councillor said when he was made aware of the recent situation on 14 June he had immediately raised it with the manager and the HOD at EWS as well as the councillor liaison officer, and requested that it be tended to with urgency. He confirmed that it had been an ongoing issue.
On Monday 18 June the department had responded to the Ryley’s request saying “the fault is still in progress with the Waste Water Superintendent to assist accordingly.”
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