Raw effluent flowing into Klip River
In the morning, when most people use the toilet, the stream is a literal torrent of water, decreasing as toilet use subsides during the course of the day
Sewage can be seen flowing into a small man-made stream that flows into the Klip River close to the Ladysmith Sewerage Works.
The powerful stream flows from what appears to be an old municipal pump facility, straight across a nearby dirt road, and then pours into a small spruit that eventually feeds into the Klip River.
Few would argue that Ladysmith is in a drought and with no recent rain, it should be impossible for any stream to be filled with fast-flowing water. Yet, for the past five months, water filled with raw effluent has flowed unchecked into the Klip River.
In the morning, when most people use the toilet, the stream is a literal torrent of water, decreasing as toilet use subsides during the course of the day…
People walk through the effluent every day as they travel to work… Others catch fish or can be seen washing their clothes down-stream. The issue, which was reported to uThukela over five months ago, has never been fixed, according to a local businessman.
“Ironically, it is the poorest of the poor who live downstream, while part of Ladysmith’s excrement contaminates the water they use to wash and drink,” explained a local businessman who uses the road on occasion. (He asked not to be named)
“uThukela do nothing!” he added.
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