GEORGE NEWS - The joy of an outdoor braai or peaceful cup of coffee on the stoep is these days often rudely interrupted for Pacaltsdorp residents by an intense sewage stench that destroys any appetite and is likely to force a retreat indoors and a frantic rush to close the windows.
The residents here have been subjected to this since last year, and it has become worse, as it also spread to Thembalethu.
After a George Herald query to George Municipality last week, it issued a media statement on Tuesday about this matter, explaining that the odour is caused by the discharge of residual (sludge) from the water treatment works (WTW) in Denneoord into the wastewater treatment works (WWTW).
The smell is primarily due to challenges with the oxygen supply demand system at the Outeniqua WWTW and the additional sludge being received from the WTW.
Certain equipment needs to be repaired overseas, and while this is happening, temporary measures are being taken to alleviate the situation.
The municipality said the discharging of the sludge into the WWTW is a temporary measure until the WTW upgrade is complete, which will include a residual dewatering handling facility.
"The Outeniqua WWTW is struggling to properly treat this waste due to two broken pieces of oxygen supply equipment, which help break down organic matter and reduce odours.
"Repairing this oxygen supply equipment is complex, and no contractors in South Africa are able to assist. We are now working on having them repaired abroad. In the meantime, a new oxygen supply demand system has been ordered as a temporary solution," said the municipality.
The treatment process has also been adjusted to divert most of the flow to the recently built treatment module, which operates more effectively. "This change has already reduced the odour, and the situation will continue to improve as the system stabilises.
"The new oxygen supply equipment is expected to be in place by May, ensuring better long-term odour control."
Quality of effluent into Schaapkop River
Responding to a question on the quality of the effluent from the WWTW into the Schaapkop River, the municipality said its internal scientific and laboratory services section does weekly effluent compliance testing.
"All determinates based on the licence that was issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation are tested on a weekly basis."
Asked for data on the test results for the last quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, the municipality said the drinking water and WWTW effluent compliance test results are published quarterly on its website. "The data as requested is due shortly."
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