Athlone residents naar of vuil water
UNPLEASANT: Sewage water flowing into the Black River
Athlone stinks!
So say residents who have been enduring a naar smell for the past few weeks due to raw sewage flowing into the Black River.
Athlone Wastewater is meant to release odourless sewage into the river, but that hasn’t been the case recently.
Approaching the river on Klipfontein Road, the smell of sewage hits you like a vrot eier.
Gazali Jaivyn, who lives close to the river, says: “It has now become a signature smell that tells you that you have reached Athlone.
“We suspect that the sewage pump station has broken pipes because we went there and the workers confirmed this to us.”
The stench has forced residents to keep their windows and doors shut.
The City’s Mayco Member for Water and Waste Xanthea Limberg says they are working on it.
“The City of Cape Town’s Water and Waste Directorate is aware of this matter and is currently attending to problems (including ageing infrastructure) relating to the Athlone Wastewater Treatment Works which discharges treated effluent into the nearby Black River,” she says.
“This is the cause of the discolouration of the water in the river. It will, however, take some time for the biological processes to re-establish themselves.”
She added that residents should begin noticing an improvement to the smell as an odour suppressant intervention commenced last week.
“The facility is also currently in the process of being upgraded through a significant capital works programme, which will improve treated effluent discharge compliance significantly.”
She added: “During this time, the City regrets any inconvenience caused, including the odour resulting from this incident, but assures the public that every effort is being made to remedy this matter as soon as possible.”