Dysfunctional pumps pose threat to city water resources
Dysfunctional pumps at the Extension 29 sewage pump station cause raw effluent to flow over into the Sand River and may contaminate the boreholes that are used to augment the city’s water supply. Visiting the site yesterday (Wednesday) morning after a complaint was received, Polokwane Observer witnessed that the pump station was totally submerged and …
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/68/2018/02/DSC_0012-reg-copy.jpg)
Dysfunctional pumps at the Extension 29 sewage pump station cause raw effluent to flow over into the Sand River and may contaminate the boreholes that are used to augment the city’s water supply.
Visiting the site yesterday (Wednesday) morning after a complaint was received, Polokwane Observer witnessed that the pump station was totally submerged and that the equipment that is supposed to pump effluent to the sewage treatment works, are not working.
![](https://www.observer.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/141/2018/02/DSC_0014-reg-copy-300x200.jpg)
A source confirmed that the pumps are not functional for the last three days and that an instruction was received to dig a trench to deviate the water from the pump station.
It was also alleged that the pump station was not submersed as a result of the rain.
Municipal comment
Communications and Marketing Manager of Polokwane Municipality, Matshidiso Mothapo was requested to comment on the matter, but the response was not ready at time of going to print.
Story & photos: BARRY VILJOEN
>>barryv.observer@gmail.com