Central SA
Free State sewer plant raises concern─── TSHEHLA KOTELI 10:13 Fri, 09 Jun 2023
The DA discovered untreated sewage at the Masilo Sewer Treatment Works at Theunissen in the Lejweleputswa District Municipality during an oversight visit.
"It was alarming to discover that the facility has been without electricity for two weeks. Despite the cholera outbreak claiming lives in the province, untreated sewage continues to flow unchecked," said councillor André Kruger.
"Shockingly, no municipal workers were present during our visit. The plant, which is merely 25 years old, has deteriorated to a state of disrepair, reminiscent of its former glory in 1998 when it was considered the best available technology. Grass now grows within one of the aerators, while the malfunctioning augers fail to remove solids, causing methane bubbles to surface from the dysfunctional ponds."
André Kruger at the Masilo Water Treatment Works in Theunissen. PHOTO Facebook
Kruger says they contacted both the water manager and municipal manager, who claimed ignorance regarding the prolonged power outage.
"We are closely monitoring this dire situation. We will not stand idly by while the health and safety of our communities are at risk. We call on the municipality to seek alternative energy solutions to prevent future occurrences.
"Every effort must be made to prevent the further spread of cholera and ensure the well-being of our communities."
ALSO READ: Vaal River allegedly contaminated by water-borne cholera disease
OFM News previously reported about the continuous challenges of sewage spillage into and dilapidated infrastructure at the Vaal River.
AfriForum's environmental affairs manager, Lambert de Klerk, said water samples that AfriForum and the Save Ngwathe residents movement took from the Vaal River at Parys on Tuesday (6/6) tested positive for cholera. This was after the first water sample taken at the outlet of the sewage treatment plant was not contaminated with cholera.
The second water sample was taken from a residential house in Parys and tested negative for cholera but was infected with E. coli, while the third water sample was taken in the Vaal River, approximately 10 meters downstream from a manhole that has been pouring sewage into the river for some time.
De Klerk says that AfriForum is still waiting for the official results of the water sample to establish if it is contaminated with cholera and E. coli.
