Umbilo River - request for plan of action from Ethekweni

The sludge and the stock piling of the hardcake  on the river banks immediately downstream of the drying beds was identified as an imminent ecological threat more than 12 yrs ago.

Regards

Terry

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Thank you for the gesture of appreciation.

Please be reminded that my role and focus is to address mechanical/electrical (M&E) issues afflicting the performance of the WWTW processes.  I am well aware that the M&E discipline is but one of the elements in the mix, and that the commissioning of the gen-set will be emblematic of one small victory … but significant in the greater scheme of things.

Andrew Peinke Pr. Eng.

BSc. Eng (Mech) GCC (Factory) EDP (Wits)

Senior Professional Engineer: Mechanical/Electrical

eThekwini Water and Sanitation

Tel +27 (0) 31 311 8070

Mobile: +27 (0) 82 8298750

Sibusiso/Lusapho

Please provide the required update urgently.

Regards

Ednick Msweli

Dear All,

This was explained at the site meeting we had with the community. This is part of the normal daily operations at the treatment works. When the sludge is dry enough, it needs to be removed from the drying beds. This is what the contractor is doing with the wheelbarrows. It is moved to the designated area next to the drying beds to be stockpiled. This area is not on the river bank. There is a wall that separates this area from the river bank to prevent any potential run-off. We stockpile for a period not longer than 3 months and once the stockpile is big enough we remove this sludge with trucks and take it to the Hammarsdale sludge farm. So this is a temporary stockpile that will be moved soon.

Also discussed, were the historical stockpiles that are onsite and we are in the process of putting together a contract to get these removed. We are struggling to get a budget to do this work and it will be a very costly exercise considering the amount of sludge that was stockpiled over many years.  There is a potential for run off into the river from these old stockpiles. Unfortunately this is a long term problem that will take years to resolve, but we are attending to it as well.

Just to note, most of our treatment works across the city have historical sludge stockpiles that need to be moved. It was a standard practice many years ago, even before the legislation and guidelines on the disposal of sludge came into effect. The city now we sits with a huge and very costly problem to get these moved.

Regards

Lusapho Tshangela

FYA

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Good morning

I also reported this on the 9^th as it had spread as far as the Stapelton Rd Bridge.  I have been on leave since then.

Regards

Terry Stewart

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Hello Justine,

As in past correspondence relating to this matter, I believe that the way you will get things done re the Umbilo river could be through a class action. Although he is fully committed to legal battles elsewhere I think environmental lawyer Jeremy Ridl may be able to give you some advice.

However, below is some correspondence between me, as a member of Clansthal Conservancy, and EPCPD which did in fact result in the Municipality paying attention to a pollution issue in the Mahlongwana River– although we still have to carry out testing to see if the problem actually has been fixed.

Regards,

Rob Crankshaw

12^th February 2020

Errol Douwes, Senior Manager: Restoration Ecology Branch, Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department, eThekwini Municipality

Dear Errol,

May I ask for your assistance?

After the recent SAPPI/SAICCOR meeting in Umkomaas, with some local residents I visited the area of Newhaven, close to Craigieburn, to have a look at sewage leaking into a small river (or what’s left of it) that runs into the Mahlongwana. If I am correct, this is a serious issue for local residents and a continuing pollutant of an important river and coastal estuary.

The problem is twofold: the poor sewage management conditions in the area which are a health hazard, and the pollutive activities of the river/stream itself on our natural resources – particularly the Mahlongwana river and estuary

I would like to meet someone from eThekwini on site for an appraisal. Can you help please?

Regards, Rob

The source and path of the river can be seen in the map, just below Ivy Road.

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Extracts of correspondence between Clansthal Conservancy and eThekwini Municipality:

“I have noted that Ms Claudia Botha of eThekwini Water and Sanitation – Pollution and Environment is copied and this is the mandated line function to chase pollution and identify the source. I trust she will action or forward to the relevant official to action. I have also copied Ms Londiwe Satimburwa who is the acting Senior Manager of Pollution and Environment.

WE HAVE ADVISED THE MUNICIPALITY ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION THAT THE SOURCE IS THE FAULTY SEWAGE MANAGEMENT IN THE TOWNSHIP POLLUTING THE TRIBUTARY OF THE MAHLONGWANA RIVER – NO RESPONSE OR ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN EXCEPT THE MANY COMMUNICATIONS  AND PROMISES – LIKE THIS ONE”

“Mpume Teba – will work with responsible line function to ensure identification of the responsible person and preliminary undertaking of containment measures. Mpume will then, with cooperation from responsible line function and/or any responsible official at EWS, send you update by Friday the 1^st of October 2021.

STILL AWAITING ANY FORM OF ACTION  - APART FROM MANY MESSAGES AND COMMUNICATIONS LIKE THIS ONE

Kind Regards,

Sibongile Dlamini

Manager: Biodiversity & Climate Compliance Enforcement

Environmental Planning & Climate {Protection Department”

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Hi Justine

Thank you.  I have saved your number.

Regards

Terry