Untreated sewage is being released from the Humansdorp Sewage Plant and is entering into the environment, creating a health risk to the residents of Kwananzamo.
“Nosimo Balindlela, the DA Shadow Minister for Water and Sanitation visited the Sewage Plant with me in July this year and we took samples of the water being released from the Plant,” said Kouga Mayor Elza Van Lingen.
“We were shocked to discover that raw sewage was being released and that the Plant was totally dysfunctional. There were not even chemicals at the Plant to treat the sewage.”
Balindlela then laid criminal charges against Sidney Fadi, the Municipal Manager for the sewage spills that end up in a nearby dam as well as in a canal next to the side of the road leading to Kwananzamo.
“In August, the Department of Environmental Affairs inspected the Sewage Plant and confirmed that untreated sewage runs out from the Plant and ends up in a dam.
They were also very concerned that residents and animals have access to the raw sewage,” said Van Lingen.
The Director of Public Prosecutions is now considering the laying of several charges against Mr Fadi, the Municipal Manager of Kouga.
‘Among the charges being contemplated are the contravention of Section 151 of the National Water Act in that the sewage plant is not being properly operated and maintained, treated effluent contains faecel coliforms is being released from the Plant, which in turn is detrimentally affecting a water resource and the environment,” added Van Lingen.
“I have already made an appeal to the Department of Rural Development to make funds available to upgrade the Sewage Plant as we cannot accept our residents facing such a dangerous health hazard and our environment being polluted with raw sewage.
I am also investigating when the new Waste Water Treatment Plant being built by Woodlands Dairy will come on-stream, which will take a lot of pressure off the Humansdorp Sewage Plant, that is over capacity at present.
“Kouga Municipality is also upgrading the Kruisfontein Waste Water Treatment Plant and this process will be completed in the 2018/19 financial year,” concluded Van Lingen.
Tags: Humansdorp Sewage Plant
kougademocrat 
September 30, 2016 at 9:30 am |
I hope that Mr Fadi is held accountable!
September 30, 2016 at 9:31 am |
What I should have said is that I hope Mr Fadi is held accountable THIS TIME!
September 30, 2016 at 7:08 pm |
Highly time to resolve this matter. Residents are suffering.
October 1, 2016 at 10:12 am |
I have seen streams of sewerage on the northern side of diepsloot Johannesburg running into drains which I believe is making its way into the rivers feeding hartebeespoort dam, it’s on the road from the Lion park which goes past diepsloot