SUBJECTED to breathing air that reeks of sewage for days and weeks on end. This has been the dreadful reality of the Merebank community situated near the Southern Waste Water Treatment Works (SWWTW).
In a stand against this injustice, community members together with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) embarked on a peaceful picket to highlight concerns about the sewage stink on Friday, 13 November.
According to SDCEA, the SWWTW has caused the community to be furious about the smell emanating from the plant. “This has been a daily problem for the past month and weeks. Previously the awful smell was experienced but not on a daily basis like the current situation. The Merebank community is worried about their health as they are at the receiving end of smells from SWWTW plant, petrochemical industries and a paper mill,” said SDCEA air quality officer Bongani Mthembu.
Resident, Sarasaathi Reddy said, “The sewage system in Merebank is very troublesome. We have to keep our doors and windows closed almost every day and with summer approaching it becomes unbearable. We can’t even enjoy our meals. We have little children exposed to these harmful gases and unpleasant smells. This is not only an inconvenience but it is also a danger to our health now. Our area is already subject to pollution. We would appreciate if SWWTW would make an effort to alleviate the issue.”
Vice-chairman of the Merebank Residents Association, Pastor Victor Kupsamy said that he felt that the plant was inefficient in carrying out its work. “It’s been over a month that we have been having awful smells especially in the evenings. Resorting to locking ourselves in our homes to avoid the smell is no way to live. We are pleading with the company to address the issue. Enough is enough.” Attempts to contact SWWTW for comment proved unsuccessful by the time of going to print.
WATCH: Merebank residents sick of the stink
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