WATCH | Community leaders point BCM to Nahoon sewage spill at inspection cover No 21

The major sewage spill in the Nahoon Point Nature Reserve and marine protected area was pinpointed on Sunday by leading members of the community to assist Buffalo City Metro sanitation officials in unblocking the pipe.

Green Ripple spokesperson Kevin Harris said the blockage was at inspection chamber number 21, a regular trouble spot on the line below John Woods Road circle below Beauchamp Place town house complex.

He said there was a telemetry system which meant to trigger an alarm when there was a blockage or loss of flow.

“The manhole is low-lying and clearly a risk point. This is not the first time this has happened over the last few years. Lots of debris shows that residents are flushing nappies, clothing material and foreign matter leading to these terrible events.

“Raw sewage is running into the Ihlanza and to Nahoon Beach at a strong flow rate and this is contaminating the entire ravine below this chamber.

“BCM sanitation staff are aware of the problem and will be trying to resolve this as soon as possible but it is unacceptable that BCM appear to have no staff on hand to unblock the pipe.

“The Nahoon Point Nature Reserve is under threat right now. The ecosystem of this nature reserve and marine protected area are being assailed by a toxic brew of pathogens and other hazardous waste. The public is not safe.

“This stuff causes dread illnesses among them Hepatitis B and cholera and kills all life. We applaud the efforts of Jonginenge Eco-Adventure staff and lifeguards in acting to close the beach and protect the public. But where are the city leaders in this time of need?”

Harris thanked Dean Knox and the Tidy Towns Buffalo City team for being proactive and assisting to identify the source. 

“We hope for quick mitigation.”

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