GEORGE NEWS - A massive sewage spill that has been spewing thousands of litres of raw sewage into the Schaapkop river for weeks has been contained. It appeared as if the sewage was pumped into the river via two large blue waste pipes from below the Schaapkop sewerage pump station, that has malfunctioned. 

The George Herald first got wind of this mess on 21 August when a concerned resident phoned in and the site was visited.

A reliable source who wants to remain anonymous told the George Herald that municipal workers are afraid to talk and they worry when they have to walk the water course to spread chemicals to neutralise the sewage that has built up on the banks of the river. 

The Schaapkop river flows past Borcherds and Lawaaikamp under the N2 into the sea between Thembalethu and New Dawn Park.

A resident who lives above the river said, "This place has been stinking for so long, this is the only smell I know."

Chantel Edwards-Klose, spokesperson for the George Municipality, said that the Schaapkop pump station has experienced failures in the past few months that have caused overflow while repairs were being carried out. 

"A decision has been taken to replace an entire section of pipes and fittings. The temporary repairs were completed on Friday 25 August and the clean-up will start as soon as possible. The situation is being monitored."

The municipality has reported the situation at the Breede River Gouritz Catchment Management Agency office, as required in terms of the Wastewater Quality Compliance and Failure Response Management, which includes the river being cleaned and treated if a spill occurs.

The permanent repairs will be planned in consultation with Department of Water Affairs and will be completed within the next two months.

When the George Herald visited the site on Monday 28 August, the situation appeared to be under control. 

The ruptured main sewerage line to the Outeniqua sewerage works was also not leaking sewage anymore.

Sewage from the ruptured main sewer-line to the Outeniqua sewerage works leaked into the river as well.

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: MYRON RABINOWITZ, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST

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