A sewage leak near the northern commonage in Grahamstown is posing a potential health hazard for residents in the area.
Municipal media spokesperson Thandy Matebese says that the leaks are being caused by a lack of manhole covers. People have been stealing the copper manhole covers to sell for scrap metal, leaving the sewage pipes exposed.
A sewage leak near the northern commonage in Grahamstown is posing a potential health hazard for residents in the area.
Municipal media spokesperson Thandy Matebese says that the leaks are being caused by a lack of manhole covers. People have been stealing the copper manhole covers to sell for scrap metal, leaving the sewage pipes exposed.
"Kids throw bricks and other things into the hole, and this leads to blockages," Matebese says. It is because of these blockages that the sewage then overflows out into the surrounding area. However, clogging is not the only side effect as long term effects may include the pipes being damaged, which will result in these expensive pieces of equipment needing to be replaced.
The municipality was not aware of the leaks in the area until Tuesday afternoon, but Matebese says that the problem of manhole cover theft is an ongoing one. He adds that the engineering department is currently processing a request for concrete manhole covers, which should solve with the problem.
The environmental effects of the sewage leak are also important to note. The area currently affected serves as a commonage for those who live in the surrounding area, which encompasses Zion Dam and Gxethu stream. The commange is used for activities such as growing herbs for traditional medicine, grazing for livestock and a playground for the local children.
Environmental Manager for the Makana Municipality, Ndumiso Nongwe, says that the leak could cause problems with underground water pollution. "It is not just a matter for the municipality, the commonage plays a vital role in the day-to-day lives of the people who are poor," he says. The water from the sream is no longer fit to drink, and could lead to disease. "The bacteria in the water from sewage can cause cholera," he warns. Animals that drink from the stream would also be placed in danger, and the health of the river will be undermined.
Nikki Köhly, secretary of the Kowie Catchment Campaign, agrees. "If the amount of sewage is too large, or the leak happens too frequently, there is a chance that the ecological system will not be able to fix itself, and irreparable damage could be done," she says.
Matebese urges residents to "not throw things into open manholes and to stop stealing the remaining copper lids".
