WITSAND NEWS - Extensive water quality tests of a marsh pond adjacent to the Witsand Wastewater Treatment, have shown that the water is not contaminated, contradicting videos circulated on Facebook.
Following the videos, subsequent complaints and the receipt of a communication from the ministry, Hessequa Municipality launched a comprehensive investigation by the Mayor, Members of the Mayoral Committee, the Municipal Manager, and senior personnel of the Technical Department.
According to a press release issued today by the municipality and the Witsand Rate Payers Association, no signs of a sewage spill were detected during the on-site investigation of the marsh dam – which is over 250 meters away from the wastewater treatment plant - contradicting the claims of contamination made by the complainants.
The irrigation dam, which had experienced an unusually low evaporation rate and a high level of rainfall in recent months, was nearly full and had to be emptied. No foul sewer odour could be detected.
In 2007, the wastewater treatment plant underwent an upgrade that encompassed the installation of primary, secondary and tertiary ponds, as well as an irrigation dam.
“To ensure proper containment, all of these ponds were lined with a 2.5-micron HDPE plastic liner, while the irrigation dam received an additional layer of clay. This protective measure was implemented specifically to safeguard against any potential underground pollution,” the statement reads.
In response to the latest claims, Hessequa Municipality requested the assistance of Garden Route District Municipality to appoint an independent service provider, to assess the water in the marsh pond and wastewater treatment plant for potential Clostridium perfringens, which can be harmful to humans and animals.
No traces of Clostridium perfringens bacteria were detected in the marsh pond.
“It's worth noting that traces of Clostridium perfringens were found in the wastewater treatment plant. This occurrence is considered normal within wastewater treatment facilities, as the presence of this bacterium is a typical feature in such environments.”
A meeting was convened with the Witsand/Port Beaufort Ratepayers Association to discuss the results and, according to the municipality and ratepayers, it was unanimously agreed by all parties that there was no evidence of sewage spillage, thus eliminating any potential environmental risks.
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