Enviro Fixers Durban North urges residents to keep drains clear of litter

AS the rainy season approaches, environmental group Enviro Fixers Durban North has put out an appeal to help clear the areas around stormwater drains, some of which drain straight into the Umgeni River and ultimately the ocean.

Local resident and member of Enviro Fixers, Helen Koch, said she hopes to instill some civic pride in the area by hosting a Stormwater Saturday on November 5 on her road, to clear the curbs of any litter that may end up in the stormwater drains.

She has encouraged the north Durban community to do the same.

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“In the past, we’ve seen how several stormwater drains overflow. Driving around the area, many curbs have debris like mounds of leaves, plastic bottles and other items littered close to them. The truth is the storm drains aren’t designed for rubbish and are more for catching rainwater. We are encouraging the community to join us on November 5, to clean their respective roads of any litter near stormwater drains,” she said.

“We have 10 Colombo Coffee loyalty vouchers to give away for those who send us a Before and After photo after they’ve cleaned up. We are in the rainy season already, and there is a good chance that many of our inlets will be clogged because of rubbish and piles and piles of leaves. Unlike the sewerage network, the stormwater collected is not treated and cleaned,” she said.

Koch added that the eThekwini Municipality have dedicated teams to clear the roadside curbs on main arterial routes like Swapo Road, Riverside Road, Umhlanga Rocks Drive and Kenneth Kaunda Road, however, residential roads are not included.

“Most of the residential roads are not included, so it is up to us to report any damaged stormwater drains, and while I acknowledge we pay high rates and taxes, I also feel we need to do what we can to help stop the potential blockage,” she said.