GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Four manholes that regularly spill sewage into the Sundays River at the Tronk Drift crossing in Graaff-Reinet, have been overflowing again. Upon investigation, large pools of foul-smelling sewage were discovered at both sides of Tronk Drift crossing.
Judging by the dark colour of the sewage, the organic matter is already in its intermediate stages of breakdown, meaning that it had been there for quite some time. A multitude of flying insects could also be seen.
Last year DA Member of Parliament, Samantha Graham-Maré, laid charges against the municipality, but the Green Scorpions Unit is yet to investigate.
Addressing the problem
Meanwhile, Oval Drive, from the corner of the detectives' building to the Department of Correctional Services, was closed on Monday 22 March. The municipality confirmed that the road was closed for the refurbishment of the Tronk Drift crossing and will be reopened on 19 April, but failed to respond to the Advertiser's question relating to the sewage.
Large, black pools of foul smelling sewage at both sides of the Tronk Drift crossing.
Nieu-Bethesda
During their oversight visit in Nieu-Bethesda on 23 March, Graham-Maré, Counsellor Ricardo Smith and François de Villiers, discovered that the sewerage pump station between the village and Pienaarsig is overflowing again.
The sewage flows into the wetlands and this has an adverse impact on groundwater.
According to Graham-Maré, the matter was reported to the municipality the previous week and the pump station was repaired after a couple of days, but two days later it was overflowing again.
Large, black pools of foul smelling sewage at both sides of the Tronk Drift crossing.
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