Fish kills and distress reports at uMhlanga Lagoon have raised concerns about pollution, prompting calls for a thorough investigation. Ward 35 councillor Nicole Bollman noted reports of black sludge flowing from the decommissioned uMhlanga Waste Water Treatment Works.
"When I visited, nothing was operational. Earlier this year, a contractor was hired to clean and fix those ponds. I’m worried they might be cutting corners, offloading black sludge that should be properly disposed of in a landfill. I also know they lacked the necessary license to do that," Bollman said.
Bollman added that they have written to the eThekwini city manager, demanding accountability and clarity.
Aquatic scientist and director at GroundTruth, Dr. Mark Graham, stated that they conducted their own investigation. He mentioned initial concerns about a possible link to the UPL spill during the July 2021 unrest. However, their report cleared the chemical plant of involvement.
"We found numerous indications of raw sewage entering the estuary. Discharges were coming from the Phoenix Waste Treatment Works, the Izinga catchments, the Blackburn pump station, and the uMhlanga Wastewater Treatment Works. The quality of discharge from these locations failed to meet national water and sanitation standards," Graham explained.
