Ecological disaster imminent – DA calls for

Ecological disaster imminent – DA calls for 

Millions of litres of raw sewage have been spewing from manholes in Ermelo and Wesselton, located in Msukaligwa Local Municipality, polluting a wetland and putting residents’ health at risk in the process. 

The DA did a site visit after the issue appeared in news reports earlier this week and discovered three major sewage spills erupting from municipal manholes.

One of the spillages, located in the Ermelo Town area, spills directly into a wetland and is a cause of great concern.  The two other spills are located in Wesselton, one at Emadameni and the other at Klipbou, and have evidently been spewing raw sewage for several days or even weeks.  

Upon closer inspection of the manholes, which are all connected to the main sewerage line, it was revealed that the manhole covers had apparently popped off from the manholes due to the immense pressure of the gushing waste.  It may even be that municipal workers removed the covers on purpose to allow the sewage to spill, lessening the pressure on the sewerage system. 

 The overpowering and suffocating smell of raw human waste enhanced by vast amounts of baby nappies, condoms and other materials that are flowing from the drain. This debris is being released into the open air and into a stream which connects with a nearby river, joininginto the Vaal River, which in turn flows to Grootdraai Dam near Standerton.