Residents kick up a stink over sewage

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The issue of sewage flowing across the N9 just outside Graaff-Reinet has been a cause for concern for a long time and was first reported to the relevant officials at the Dr. Beyers Naudé Local Municipality as long ago as July 2018 by Cllr Samantha Graham.

According to a resident of Umasizakhe, for many months last year, it flowed from between the houses under the road near the 7de Laan sewage pump station and pooled in the area.

After intervention from representatives of the Graaff-Reinet Residents' and Ratepayers' Association (GRRPA) and Camdeboo National Park manager Mzwandile Mjadu, eventually the faulty pump in the 7de Laan sewage pump station was replaced, and the problem was solved.

However, since early January the sewage has been running again.

GRRPA sent emails and spoke to officials at the municipality, and at a meeting with the municipal manager and other officials on 4 February, members expressed concern that should it rain, the pools of raw sewage would wash into the Nqweba Dam.

Also, as the sewage had been running into the veld above the dam for over a month, it is thought to have polluted the groundwater.

After the heavy rains on 9 February, the Sundays River was flowing, and SANParks' Mjadu went to inspect the area around the dam and found that at what he referred to as the bottom side, there was a mini flood.

According to a message he sent to a member of the GRRPA, "the effects of the rain... led to sewage reaching the dam".

A furore erupted on social media last Wednesday when the page 'Grand Karoo Graaff-Reinet News and Events' picked up on this, and posted a warning to residents that they had been consuming and bathing in sewage, claiming that "raw SEWAGE can be seen on the N9, running from Umasizakhe into the Nqweba Dam".

In response to the frenzied outbursts from residents, the municipality issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon, strenuously denying these claims.

After confirming that there was indeed a sewage spillage on the N9, the municipality went on to assure residents that the spillage did not actually flow into the dam. It was also pointed out in the statement that because of the low levels of the dam due to the drought, on 8 February the municipality had already issued a statement that the water supply from the Nqweba Dam to communities would be shut down, and water from the dam was no longer being piped to households.

The whole of Graaff-Reinet is now being supplied with water from boreholes.

When questioned about his comments by the Graaff-Reinet Advertiser, Mjadu admitted that he could not say for certain that the sewage had been washed along as far as the dam, but that tracks left in the soil showed evidence of water flowing in that direction. These tracks can be seen in photos taken by Mjadu, which were also widely shared on social media, along with others showing pools of sewage near the main road. He also stated that in the 16 months that he has been at the Park, there has been no trace of raw sewage in the dam.

Mjadu contacted the municipality after the rains, and Byron Koeberg (Manager: Water at the municipality) went to investigate the situation last Friday.

According to the GRRPA, the pump was then repaired by a private individual, and was in place and working on Saturday morning. Mjadu was pleased to report that there was no sewage seeping from the pump station after this, and a representative from the GRRPA committee expressed her gratitude that at last the problem had been dealt with.

The question was raised as to why a private individual was used to repair the pump, and why there is a shortage of pumps.

There are supposed to be two pumps for every sump but on 4 February there were not even enough working pumps to service each sump.

In response, the acting spokesperson for the municipality confirmed that because the contractor has not paid the subcontractor, the pumps that are broken have not been returned and that only one pump is in operation at each pump station. The payment problem affects all areas within the municipality, not just Graaff-Reinet.

This drama came only a week after the town was in the grip of a water crisis when the quality of the dam water became such that it could no longer be used and people were allegedly falling ill from drinking the discoloured water. The Graaff-Reinet Water Crises group was formed, and members of the community rallied round to help the less fortunate. As well as members of the group supplying clean drinking water to many households, last Friday Thobeka Booysen from the Giant Flag helped out by delivering bottles of water to the patients of the Margery Parkes TB Hospital, which was without water. These donations will assist the patients when they have to take their medication.

The dam level has risen slightly, and on Tuesday was at 2.57%.

This past week, many areas were without water for several hours during the day, due to the reduced quantity of water available from the boreholes. However, the quality seems to be acceptable, although the municipality issued a proviso that if there was any concern, water should be boiled. The unexpected load shedding last week also played havoc with the provision of water, as the borehole pumps cannot function without electricity.

On Monday, Corene Conradie, co-founder of the Water Crisis group, was interviewed on Algoa FM about the water donations and possible sewage contamination. The DA's Vicky Knoetze has also written to COGTA MEC, Fikile Xasa, requesting his urgent intervention. She demanded that the tap water should be tested, and results made public.

"Drastic steps must be taken to repair the failing infrastructure and ensure that residents received quality, drinkable water," concluded her statement.

"The municipality has got to manage communication better," said Cllr Grham. "It doesn't help to wait until mass hysteria has been created, and then respond to the situation. The Municipality needs to partner with our community and keep them updated on what is happening."

In a statement eventually issued by dr. Edward Rankwana, the municipal manager, the Dr. Beyer's Naudé Local Municipality informed all residents that the allegations regarding sewage-contaminated water were factually incorrect.

"It is our legal obligation to ensure that water safety in respect of its quality (microbial and chemical) for consumption is complied with," said dr. Rankwana. He went on to say that the quality of water has greatly improved, and the necessary water quality testing is adhered to.

"Projects to equip all the boreholes is not completed yet, as the municipality is still awaiting funding transfers from the Department of Water and Sanitation to complete borehole installation. As a result, the town may from time to time experience interruptions of water supply that will affect the high lying areas. Examples of high lying areas are Queen Street, Mandela Park and certain parts of Umazisakhe."

Dr. Rankwana also commented that the municipality is also investigating ways in which upgrading of aged bulk infrastructure can be addressed, which in turn would reduce pollution and ultimately contribute to a better and healthier environment.

He concluded by reiterating that the water is safe for consumption and is being tested by an independent laboratory. "Notices will be issued if the water is not safe for human consumption, however, for extra precaution, water can be boiled before consumption."

The municipality also urged the community to continue using water sparingly, and report water leaks to the technical team on 049 807 5700.

On Friday, 15 February, Thobeka Booysen from the Giant Flag delivered bottles of water to the patients of the Margery Parkes TB Hospital, which was without water.