Pollution and waste management: residents speak

CRISIS IN ETHEKWINI

- NADIA KHAN

ETHEKWINI residents have raised the alarm over the escalating air and water pollution, illegal dumping, and inadequate waste management.

Rachel Naidoo, secretary of the Tongaat Civic Association, said water and air pollution remained a growing environmental issue in the community.

“Our primary concern is water pollution and its impact on our rivers and waterways. The sources of water pollution have been identified as industrial discharge, urban run-off, and failing infrastructure which has resulted in sewer spillage into the rivers and waterways. There is also poor management of waterways such as the lack of clearing debris.

“In addition, the streets of Tongaat are littered with the sugar cane debris. You will also find that trucks carrying the sugar cane often drop debris that finds its way to the watercourses. In addition, the untreated effluent that is used to irrigate the cane fields also enters the waterways. Sewer discharge is common in coastal areas and inland like the Hlawe River which runs through the Tongaat CBD. The stench emanating from this river is unbearable.

“Urban run-off also affects the rivers and streams particularly from the informal settlements primarily due to poor sewer and waste management services by the municipality,” she said.

Naidoo said air pollution was also a concern and that residents who suffered with chronic illnesses such as sinusitis and asthma were impacted.

“One of the great sources of pollution emanates from the industrial businesses such as the sugar mills. There is always dust and an odour in the air. The irrigation of sugar cane fields with untreated water causes an unbearable stench and discomfort to residential areas bordering these sugar cane fields.