"Waves of Human Waste Hits the Shores in KwaZulu-Natal"
South Africa's sewage treatment works, and infrastructure is failing. Severe diarrhoea cases are outpouring across all provinces and dead fish are washing out on local beaches.
In August, Durban's mother of two, Rashnie Baijnath (38), died after severe diarrhoea from drinking polluted tap water.
The eThekwini Municipality confirmed that tap water in the Birchwood area, west of the city, 'does not meet acceptable standards for human consumption. But the grieving family and relatives of those affected have been left wondering whether Baijnath would still be alive if municipal officials had acted faster to warn the community and rectify the source of polluted tap water in the area.
Communities are advised to avoid all contact —including fishing, recreational and sporting activities, and traditional activities— with water in rivers or streams as this may result in gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, typhoid, cholera, and other waterborne related diseases," said the eThekwini Municipality.
This year's unprecedented rainstorms collapsed many poorly maintained water infrastructures across the country.
In addition, the abundance of informal settlements along South Africa's rivers has contributed significantly to this pollution due to the lack of regularised waste management services in these communities.
This lack of essential maintenance at municipal and national levels by underspending on infrastructure, and inefficiencies in how basic framework is planned and commissioned, is the leading cause of South Africa's water crisis network.
South Africa's recently-published Blue Drop 2022 report shows a significant decline in the country's water quality, with 23% of municipalities flagged as being at critical risk.
Access to sufficient, safe water is a fundamental right consecrated by South Africa's Constitution.
In August, Durban's mother of two, Rashnie Baijnath (38), died after severe diarrhoea from drinking polluted tap water.
The eThekwini Municipality confirmed that tap water in the Birchwood area, west of the city, 'does not meet acceptable standards for human consumption. But the grieving family and relatives of those affected have been left wondering whether Baijnath would still be alive if municipal officials had acted faster to warn the community and rectify the source of polluted tap water in the area.
Communities are advised to avoid all contact —including fishing, recreational and sporting activities, and traditional activities— with water in rivers or streams as this may result in gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, typhoid, cholera, and other waterborne related diseases," said the eThekwini Municipality.
This year's unprecedented rainstorms collapsed many poorly maintained water infrastructures across the country.
In addition, the abundance of informal settlements along South Africa's rivers has contributed significantly to this pollution due to the lack of regularised waste management services in these communities.
This lack of essential maintenance at municipal and national levels by underspending on infrastructure, and inefficiencies in how basic framework is planned and commissioned, is the leading cause of South Africa's water crisis network.
South Africa's recently-published Blue Drop 2022 report shows a significant decline in the country's water quality, with 23% of municipalities flagged as being at critical risk.
Access to sufficient, safe water is a fundamental right consecrated by South Africa's Constitution.
“Everyone has the right
a. to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and
b. to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that
i. prevent pollution and ecological degradation;
ii. promote conservation; and
iii. secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.”
—The Constitution of The Republic of South Africa, Chapter 2, Section 24 [Environment]
a. to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and
b. to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that
i. prevent pollution and ecological degradation;
ii. promote conservation; and
iii. secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.”
—The Constitution of The Republic of South Africa, Chapter 2, Section 24 [Environment]
"Environmental vandalism". Tongati River
The Hlawe Stream of the Tongati River—where an Ethekwini Water Sanitation Unit pumps water from the contaminated HLAWA River Stream to assist Tongaat residents with a water source with a 'Boil Water Alert' as a precautionary measure.
Ballito Beaches. [Thompson's Bay and Salt Rock 3rd October 2022]
I spy with my lens on what local government officials don’t tell! Sewage that flows from a big pipe and into the sea...
FACT:
Rivers and streams empty into the ocean from one source --river, stream or creek.
Water always moves down the slope, and the sea is always at a lower elevation. So all rivers flow down to the sea.
"No worries, water is safe! Public welcome to take a dip into our beaches!", The municipality is telling residents and holidaymakers.
Not only the sewage contamination situation in eThekwini and KwaDukuza is disturbing, but more alarming is the fact that the public has been told E. coli or other faecal bacteria haven't impacted the water quality and that it's safe to swim on our beaches.
Different results keep misleading the public with a series of flip-flop decisions to close/open/close sewage-polluted beaches.
On August 26
Take a dip at Ballito's E. coli-free beaches.
Privately conducted tests show North Coast beaches from Ballito to Sheffield are in ideal condition - the highest ranking a beach can receive when waters are tested for colony-forming units such as E. coli.
On September 14
E. coli contamination threatens Salt Rock stream
The samples showed that E. coli levels within the stream were "too high to count".
On September 30
Clean beaches drive summer tourist north.
"In the most recent round of testing results on September 20, Willard Beach, Clarke Bay, Salmon Bay and the Hawkins tidal pool all proved safe for bathing."
*Images taken —3rd of October at Thompson Bay. Ballito
Rivers and streams empty into the ocean from one source --river, stream or creek.
Water always moves down the slope, and the sea is always at a lower elevation. So all rivers flow down to the sea.
"No worries, water is safe! Public welcome to take a dip into our beaches!", The municipality is telling residents and holidaymakers.
Not only the sewage contamination situation in eThekwini and KwaDukuza is disturbing, but more alarming is the fact that the public has been told E. coli or other faecal bacteria haven't impacted the water quality and that it's safe to swim on our beaches.
Different results keep misleading the public with a series of flip-flop decisions to close/open/close sewage-polluted beaches.
On August 26
Take a dip at Ballito's E. coli-free beaches.
Privately conducted tests show North Coast beaches from Ballito to Sheffield are in ideal condition - the highest ranking a beach can receive when waters are tested for colony-forming units such as E. coli.
On September 14
E. coli contamination threatens Salt Rock stream
The samples showed that E. coli levels within the stream were "too high to count".
On September 30
Clean beaches drive summer tourist north.
"In the most recent round of testing results on September 20, Willard Beach, Clarke Bay, Salmon Bay and the Hawkins tidal pool all proved safe for bathing."
*Images taken —3rd of October at Thompson Bay. Ballito
Westbrook sewage pumps are years-long non-functional. [16th October 2022]
Residents have reported raw sewage flowing openly into the ocean just metres from the lifeguard tower at Westbrook Main Beach since 2019.
In February this year, before the April/May floods, Ethekwini municipality was again made aware that both Westbrook pump stations were not functioning and raw sewage was flowing into the nearby streams into the sea.
"Most of the guards, including myself, have been sick many times with severe diarrhoea, vomiting, and lots of coughing and breathing issues," said security guard from Westbrook pump station Mlungisi Mbhele "Fortune".
According to Fortune, a new pump was brought inside the pump station in December last year but hasn't been operational.
The stench at the Westbrook station is unbearable, and the sewage situation is a major health risk to all residents and visitors in contact with the contaminated waters-- from the local surfers, holidaymakers, fishing enthusiasts, and the lifeguards who work in these contaminated sites.
In February this year, before the April/May floods, Ethekwini municipality was again made aware that both Westbrook pump stations were not functioning and raw sewage was flowing into the nearby streams into the sea.
"Most of the guards, including myself, have been sick many times with severe diarrhoea, vomiting, and lots of coughing and breathing issues," said security guard from Westbrook pump station Mlungisi Mbhele "Fortune".
According to Fortune, a new pump was brought inside the pump station in December last year but hasn't been operational.
The stench at the Westbrook station is unbearable, and the sewage situation is a major health risk to all residents and visitors in contact with the contaminated waters-- from the local surfers, holidaymakers, fishing enthusiasts, and the lifeguards who work in these contaminated sites.
Umdloti Sewage Crisis-Five months after the April and May floods and nothing has been done.
I Smell A Lie
STATEMENT published by the North Coast Courier local Newspaper on October 12th 2022.
At the Umdloti pump station and water works, Smart Village precinct manager Vicky Schnetler said progress had been made with clearing the pump station of sand that it had been flooded with.
“Pumps are being put in and will hopefully be operational come Wednesday, October 12.”
iLembe Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CEO, Cobus Oelofse, said while the North Coast may benefit in the short term, the regrettable situation would negatively impact the wider provincial economy and KZN’s reputation as a preferred tourist destination.
Cancellations south of the Tongaat River were putting hospitality jobs at risk, he said, with a number of establishments having cleaning and maintenance staff on short-time already in affected areas such as Westbrook and Umdloti.
STATEMENT BY SMART VILLAGE (16th October 2022):
*Umdloti Sewer System Restored (again)*: After two weeks of extraordinary effort by municipal officials, supported by the Smart Village Sewer Project Team, the electrical motor in the central pump station has been repaired and the Umdloti sewer system is once again operational. Efforts by the municipality to track and repair the cause/s of repeated blockages to the Umdloti sewer system continue. For the moment untreated sewage in no longer being released into the sea off Umdloti. Hopefully, E-coli levels on the Umdloti beaches will now start to drop. A project is under way to privately monitor the quality of sea water off Umdloti (i.e. in addition to water quality measurements being reported by the Metro). Further announcements will follow in due course.
At the Umdloti pump station and water works, Smart Village precinct manager Vicky Schnetler said progress had been made with clearing the pump station of sand that it had been flooded with.
“Pumps are being put in and will hopefully be operational come Wednesday, October 12.”
iLembe Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CEO, Cobus Oelofse, said while the North Coast may benefit in the short term, the regrettable situation would negatively impact the wider provincial economy and KZN’s reputation as a preferred tourist destination.
Cancellations south of the Tongaat River were putting hospitality jobs at risk, he said, with a number of establishments having cleaning and maintenance staff on short-time already in affected areas such as Westbrook and Umdloti.
STATEMENT BY SMART VILLAGE (16th October 2022):
*Umdloti Sewer System Restored (again)*: After two weeks of extraordinary effort by municipal officials, supported by the Smart Village Sewer Project Team, the electrical motor in the central pump station has been repaired and the Umdloti sewer system is once again operational. Efforts by the municipality to track and repair the cause/s of repeated blockages to the Umdloti sewer system continue. For the moment untreated sewage in no longer being released into the sea off Umdloti. Hopefully, E-coli levels on the Umdloti beaches will now start to drop. A project is under way to privately monitor the quality of sea water off Umdloti (i.e. in addition to water quality measurements being reported by the Metro). Further announcements will follow in due course.
The truth. [Images taken on Sunday 16th October 2022.]
- Efforts have been made, and sand that had covered the pump station during the April and May floods has been cleared out.
- The sewage submerging from the main entrance has been covered/blocked with sand.
- There is no sign of the treatment pump being operational, and the sewage still flows into the beach/ocean.
uMhlanga Raw Sewage Crisis.
One year after the devastating chemical spill from the UPL warehouse in Cornubia, yet another environmental disaster reaches the Ohlanga river, the Umhlanga Estuary, and our ocean.
"What's causing the high levels of E.coli contamination in our coastal waters?" people have been asking. So, I followed the human waste stream, and I found it!
April and May floods, lack of infrastructure maintenance and vandalism are now the source of obscene water pollution.
Damaged pipes pouring raw sewage from underground tanks, hazard manholes uncovered or blocked with old sewage. Long unattended garbage containers have turned into vegetation, and no gate or security in place is the current status of the uMhlanga Water Pump Plant.
But the rundown uMhlanga Water Plant in Black Burn is not the only source of contamination. On the other side of the highway, another manhole cover in the Black Burn Estate's area has continuously flowed raw sewage into a stream, which feeds directly into the Ohlanga river. And it is most likely the leading cause of the high E. coli readings on uMhlanga Beach.
Many of these sewage leaks have been reported to the municipality and other government officials since April, but nothing has been done.
The sewage crisis in eThikwini violates fundamental human rights and is a hazard to humans and wildlife. It's also having devastating consequences for tourism and business in the area.
*The E.Coli results from water samples taken from uMhlanga Main Beach, on the 6th October 2022, shows 5794 count/100 ml .
** Water Quality Interpretation (E.Coli Count / 100ml): IDEAL: 0-250 ACCEPTABLE: 250-500 CRITICAL: ≥ 500
"What's causing the high levels of E.coli contamination in our coastal waters?" people have been asking. So, I followed the human waste stream, and I found it!
April and May floods, lack of infrastructure maintenance and vandalism are now the source of obscene water pollution.
Damaged pipes pouring raw sewage from underground tanks, hazard manholes uncovered or blocked with old sewage. Long unattended garbage containers have turned into vegetation, and no gate or security in place is the current status of the uMhlanga Water Pump Plant.
But the rundown uMhlanga Water Plant in Black Burn is not the only source of contamination. On the other side of the highway, another manhole cover in the Black Burn Estate's area has continuously flowed raw sewage into a stream, which feeds directly into the Ohlanga river. And it is most likely the leading cause of the high E. coli readings on uMhlanga Beach.
Many of these sewage leaks have been reported to the municipality and other government officials since April, but nothing has been done.
The sewage crisis in eThikwini violates fundamental human rights and is a hazard to humans and wildlife. It's also having devastating consequences for tourism and business in the area.
*The E.Coli results from water samples taken from uMhlanga Main Beach, on the 6th October 2022, shows 5794 count/100 ml .
** Water Quality Interpretation (E.Coli Count / 100ml): IDEAL: 0-250 ACCEPTABLE: 250-500 CRITICAL: ≥ 500
Related article: "'uMhlanga Lagoon Deathly Waters"
Fish Kills and Sick Humans‼️
Over the last few months, several fish kills in the Umgeni, Isipingo and Umdloti rivers are believed to be linked to a rapid plunge in water-dissolved oxygen levels caused by raw sewage contamination.
Raw sewage contains many pollutants and pathogens harmful to our environment and human and animal health, including water, nutrients, organic matter, bacteria, viruses, parasites, endocrine disruptors, suspended solids, micro and macro plastics, microfibers, industrial chemicals, slaughterhouse wastes, sediments and heavy metals from industrial effluent.
When massive volumes of nutrient-rich organic matter (sewage) start to decay, the amount of dissolved oxygen decreases in river and estuary waters.
The nitrates, phosphates and other organic matter in the human waste act as food for algae and bacteria. Bacteria use oxygen in the water to disintegrate the organic material in the wastewater.
Algae and bacteria switch into overdrive, growing to the point where most of the dissolved oxygen naturally found in water is depleted. That makes it challenging for fish and other organisms in the water ecosystem to live -as they are being strangled.
Hundreds of eThekwini metropolitan area residents have reported gastroenteritis-like illness since the April floods and the city's sewage infrastructure crisis.
Fish kills and algae blooms are just one part of the problem. In addition, the pathogens and heavy metals found in raw sewage pollute ecological systems and sicken humans and animals.
Consuming E. coli and faecal coliform bacteria and pathogens contaminated water may result in severe illness, including gastrointestinal problems, diarrhoea, nausea, stomach cramping, stomach pains, Salmonella, hepatitis, bilharzia, enterovirus, typhoid fever, dehydration and death.
Several acute and chronic toxic effects of heavy metals affect different body parts, including gastrointestinal and kidney dysfunction, nervous system disorders, skin lesions, vascular system dysfunction, congenital abnormalities and cancer.
Resident's statements from affected areas:
"We reside in Lazy Lizard, North Beach Rd, and we frequently have diarrhoea and vomiting. We stopped using water and filter and boil water for human consumption now."
-- Umdloti resident
"I was living in Prestondale, Umhlanga at the time and I had the most violent case of diarrhoea. It started on the 29th of June, and persisted until I eventually visited the doctor of the 4th of July. She said that because my poop was bright yellow, I had contracted the Guardia parasite, which is waterborne. She mentioned that she had seen many cases since the floods and that even her dog had nearly died from Guardia subsequent to the floods. I told her that I only drink purified water, but she explained that the contamination levels must be very high, enough that I could have got it from brushing my teeth or in the shower. My doctor practices at the Sunningdale Medical Centre and I am sure she would be able to comment on how many patients she saw with waterborne illness subsequent to April 11 if that would help."
--Umhlanga resident
"The Sea water and main circle at Umdloti has smelt like sewerage for 6 months. I kite surfed on the 14th and 23rd of September and got immediately ill thereafter, Nighy full of vomiting and sore stomach. This is a health risk and needs to be addressed immediately."
--Umdloti resident
"Yesterday, one of my technicians drank tap water at one the sites he was working at on Bellamont Rd. Sick as a dog today with E-coli." [ Send on 12th Oct]
— Umdloti resident
"I live at Hawaan View and for the past few years we have endured the sewerage coming out of the laser storm water pipe, directly onto the beach. The last few months have been quite unbearable. The stench of sewerage day and night, is disgusting. I can smell it when I'm going to sleep at night, I can smell it when I'm trying to have dinner. The past couple of days things seem even worse, seems the whole of UMhlanga is bathed in sewerage, everywhere you go, it can be smelled, and we are walking and driving through it too. Is there any positive news in sight? Are we going to have this issue repaired? Or is it time to sell and move elsewhere? We can't swim here, we can't walk on the beach, we can't walk in the forest, and it smells like Shit…. Is there a glimmer of hope? Any positive news you may be able to share I would welcome. "
--Umhlanga resident
"what an awful sewage smell is around the area of Lagoon Drive! It is revolting. We always liked coming here on holiday from Switzerland, but this is unbearable. Can't leave a window open."
—Umhlanga resident
"Seen an increase in E. coli infections in pockets.
Not at an alarming rate. Most likely related to swimming in the sea and not drinking water.
Seen more in younger children."
--Microbiologist at Ampath-private lab [13th October.2022]
"We are at Umhlanga Sands and the three of us have diarrhoea.We weren't even on the beach. It must be the tap water. I think."
--[holidaymaker from Gauteng]
"We reside in Lazy Lizard, North Beach Rd, and we frequently have diarrhoea and vomiting. We stopped using water and filter and boil water for human consumption now."
-- Umdloti resident
"I was living in Prestondale, Umhlanga at the time and I had the most violent case of diarrhoea. It started on the 29th of June, and persisted until I eventually visited the doctor of the 4th of July. She said that because my poop was bright yellow, I had contracted the Guardia parasite, which is waterborne. She mentioned that she had seen many cases since the floods and that even her dog had nearly died from Guardia subsequent to the floods. I told her that I only drink purified water, but she explained that the contamination levels must be very high, enough that I could have got it from brushing my teeth or in the shower. My doctor practices at the Sunningdale Medical Centre and I am sure she would be able to comment on how many patients she saw with waterborne illness subsequent to April 11 if that would help."
--Umhlanga resident
"The Sea water and main circle at Umdloti has smelt like sewerage for 6 months. I kite surfed on the 14th and 23rd of September and got immediately ill thereafter, Nighy full of vomiting and sore stomach. This is a health risk and needs to be addressed immediately."
--Umdloti resident
"Yesterday, one of my technicians drank tap water at one the sites he was working at on Bellamont Rd. Sick as a dog today with E-coli." [ Send on 12th Oct]
— Umdloti resident
"I live at Hawaan View and for the past few years we have endured the sewerage coming out of the laser storm water pipe, directly onto the beach. The last few months have been quite unbearable. The stench of sewerage day and night, is disgusting. I can smell it when I'm going to sleep at night, I can smell it when I'm trying to have dinner. The past couple of days things seem even worse, seems the whole of UMhlanga is bathed in sewerage, everywhere you go, it can be smelled, and we are walking and driving through it too. Is there any positive news in sight? Are we going to have this issue repaired? Or is it time to sell and move elsewhere? We can't swim here, we can't walk on the beach, we can't walk in the forest, and it smells like Shit…. Is there a glimmer of hope? Any positive news you may be able to share I would welcome. "
--Umhlanga resident
"what an awful sewage smell is around the area of Lagoon Drive! It is revolting. We always liked coming here on holiday from Switzerland, but this is unbearable. Can't leave a window open."
—Umhlanga resident
"Seen an increase in E. coli infections in pockets.
Not at an alarming rate. Most likely related to swimming in the sea and not drinking water.
Seen more in younger children."
--Microbiologist at Ampath-private lab [13th October.2022]
"We are at Umhlanga Sands and the three of us have diarrhoea.We weren't even on the beach. It must be the tap water. I think."
--[holidaymaker from Gauteng]
*THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.