DURBAN - The eThekwini Municipality says staff were working hard to get sewer pumps affected by load shedding back into action.
Municipal spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela, confirmed on Tuesday that the city authorities were aware of the sewage flowing into the Durban Harbour via Lavender Creek.
“This is as a result of the Mahatma Gandhi Pump Station being flooded due to load shedding. This damaged the pumping equipment resulting in this unfortunate situation,” he said.
Mayisela said the repair work should be completed by Thursday.
“Beaches are being monitored continuously, particularly beaches between the North [beach] and the Bay of Plenty Pier. All beaches are currently safe for public use. The city will communicate in the event of any signs of danger,” he said.
Mayisela extended the city’s apology to those affected and added that all stakeholders have been contacted.
Meanwhile, The Mercury has reported today that the eThekwini Municipality has been issued with 12 compliance directives in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, mainly for sewage spillages resulting from malfunctioning pump stations.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) said that the warnings, which included Section 28 and Section 30 directives, had been issued in the past 24 months. In total, 34 directives were issued, with the other municipalities cited including Ugu District Municipality, the City of uMhlathuze and Endumeni Municipality.
The areas cited in eThekwini included Blackburn pump station, Paradise Valley sewerage system, Isipingo River, Umbilo Canal and Umgeni River.
THE MERCURY