BLACKBURN Village residents are concerned for their health after a pipe burst at the damaged pump station situated at the site of the informal settlement last month. Residents last week said despite the fact that the pump station had been fixed more than a week ago, they still had to walk through streets covered in sewage and even cross over the polluted river by foot to get to work.
One resident, PrettyNduli, said the sewage spill had caused air pollution as well.
“The smell is so bad. When we are going to work, we are trying to use perfumes and sprays to mask the smell, but it’s a waste of time. We are going to get sick,” she said.
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Weeks after the pipe burst, residents were still struggling to cope with the spill that took place on their doorsteps.
“When we are coming home late after work, we have to cross the river and there is nowhere to go. We tried putting planks down over the spillage so we would have a place to step, but it was also a waste of time. I see children, trying to pass and I tell them it’s not safe,” she said.
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In a statement issued after the spill, spokesperson for the eThekwini Municipality, Msawakhe Mayisela said that immediate action was taken to address the spill.
“Immediately after receiving the complaint, samples were collected and sent to the lab to ascertain the levels of pollution,” he said. The massive spill washed down river into the uMhlanga Lagoon where beach goers were alarmed by the black waters, strong odour and scores of dead fish that lined the lagoon.
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