Durban - The sickening smell of sewage emanating from the Phoenix Waste Water Treatment Works has made life unbearable for nearby residents for almost two months.
While local councillors and authorities say they are working hard to eliminate the stink caused by a build-up of rancid sludge, residents are demanding immediate relief.
Pensioner Sunny Naidoo, 72, who lives with his wife Vimla on Ringwood Place in Woodview, said the odour was so potent that he sometimes found it difficult to breathe.
The retired builder said constant efforts to snuff out the overpowering odour had proved useless. “It stinks so bad. We can’t even have a cup of tea or put food on the table. This has gone on long enough. We have phoned everyone for help, but no one seems to care.
“I am also an asthmatic patient and my chest gets so heavy with the smell. We are really worried about what this is doing to our health.”
Phoenix councillor Lyndal Singh said she had been notified of the situation two months ago and the municipality was in the process of moving accumulated sludge to the Merebank Waste Water Treatment Works.
However, due to “issues” at the waste centre, the sludge overflow continues to affect residents in Phoenix and Ottawa.
“I was advised the weather would play a huge role in the time line for removal. I attended a follow-up meeting at the treatment centre last week with centre head, Vinay Nulliah, councillor Maggie Johnson and a concerned resident. I was informed by Nulliah that there were delays removing and transporting the sludge due to the recent poor weather on the South Coast, which made it a no-go area, and that sludge removal had already commenced, but would only be complete in two weeks.”
Transporting 700 tons of sewage sludge began last week by a contracted trucking company, with three trucks carrying over 20 tons of sludge per trip.
Sludge is normally produced as a by-product during treatment of waste water and can be used as landfill or for agriculture.
Singh was concerned the removal would not be completed in the given time-frame - with the contractors not having the necessary equipment - and with the Phoenix treatment works not having enough working digesters (which aid in reducing the level of organic matter and disease causing micro-organsims from the sewage).
There have been claims that the problem stemmed from the new Cornubia development, which was allegedly sending five million litres of waste water to the treatment centre and could not be accommodated. However, POST was unable to confirm this by time of publication.
Singh said the problem was that there were two digesters at the centre, but over the past three years only one had been working.
“The municipality has not prioritised for a repair of the failed digester and now that the second one is not functioning, it is causing an issue that could have been sorted out three years ago.”
She said the lack of urgency to resolve the issue was worrying: “The municipality needs to be more proactive regarding efficiently executing a task.”
Finchwood Grove resident Asmitha Pillay said the smell was overbearing.
“Our windows and doors are locked and even cooking is a problem. We can’t even eat. I only hope the cause of the smell is removed soon.”
Iqbal Hoosen, 62, who owns a BP garage in Woodview said his heart went out to his staff, who had to work outside.
“I spoke to several people in the municipality to expedite the process, but no action has been taken. They told us it will take three to four weeks to sort out but we cannot wait for so long.
“My customers sit in their cars with their hands to their noses. My staff do the same. They are spraying perfume on the back of their hands just to get a break from the smell. It’s like sitting in the toilet for 24 hours. It is nauseating and a health hazard that calls for immediate attention.”
Fuel assistant Linora Pillay, of Grove End Drive, said: “People do not understand what we have to go through. My baby even developed a tummy virus because of this.”
Nulliah apologised for the inconvenience and pleaded with residents to be patient.
He said that in the interim, the stench would still be prevalent. However, they would try to mitigate the extent by using deodorisers.
eThekwini Municipality’s head of communications, Tozi Mthethwa, said an odour assessment had been conducted by the Water and Sanitation Unit, Environmental Health and Pollution and Risk Control.
“Investigations revealed that the odour was caused by the accumulation of sludge and activities associated with the upgrade of the Phoenix plant.
“An odour control system has been installed near the plant and a mobile unit is also available. These are fully operational. Residents are advised that during the removal of sludge and while the plant upgrade proceeds, they may be subjected to bad odours from time to time. We apologise for the inconvenience during this period.”
Complaints can be lodged by calling 031 311 8249 or 031 505 2805.