GEORGE NEWS - Concerns about the potential health hazard of standing water on the collapsed building site in Victoria Street were aired by a resident of an apartment block adjacent to the property.
The investigations into the collapse are expected to be prolonged and it is not foreseen that any work will be done on the site soon, said the complainant, who asked to remain anonymous.
"With the heat of summer upon us, we are really worried about the standing water causing mosquito infestation and possibly harmful bacteria breeding.
"The residents in our building have discussed this and we think the site should be drained."
Following a query from George Herald to the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), an official from the health department inspected the site and according to Herman Pieters, head of communications, it was concluded that there is no health hazard.
"The official confirmed that there is no bad odour or smell, indicating that the standing water poses no health hazard.
"We would like to note that there is no public access to the premises.
"Malaria is not endemic to this region, so the standing water that is referred to does not present a health risk to the surrounding community," Pieters said.
The developer, Neotrend, did not respond to the newspaper's request for comment.
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