Due to the unprecedented rains that have occurred in eThekwini, the Pollution Control dam at UPL overflowed into the Ohlanga tributary.<\/p>\n
This follows the UPL Fire incident in July 2021 and the subsequent chemical contamination. Authorities have been engaging UPL regarding these incidents and remediation measures are currently taking place on and offsite.<\/p>\n
Although most of the overflow has since stopped, a leak in the pipework that is still discharging into the environment has been observed. Tankering of the water from the Pollution Control dam has therefore resumed in earnest, and other measures to reduce the amount of rainwater entering the dam have been implemented by the specialists.<\/p>\n
According to the UPL specialists, the 29th of March water sample results revealed that the levels of pollutants in the dam were significantly low and therefore when combined with the large volumes of stormwater, the pollutants would have been further diluted.<\/p>\n
Water samples have been taken to establish the levels of pollutants (metals\/pesticides and herbicides) that would have been in the water at the time of overflow.<\/p>\n
While the test results are still pending, the public are reminded to refrain from entering the Ohlanga tributary as well as the exclusion zone, 1km North and South of the uMhlanga river mouth.<\/p>\n
The public is also reminded that the ban on fishing or collection of mussels and oysters from the uThongathi Estuary to Eastmoor Beach Access remains in force.<\/p>\n
Residents can contact the Health Unit Complaints line on 0313113555.<\/p>\n
ENDS<\/p>\n
Issued by the eThekwini Municipality\u2019s Spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela.<\/p>\n
For more information contact 031 311 4820\/18.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Due to the unprecedented rains that have occurred in eThekwini, the Pollution Control dam at UPL overflowed into the Ohlanga tributary. This follows the UPL Fire incident in July 2021 and the subsequent chemical contamination. Authorities have been engaging UPL regarding these incidents and remediation measures are currently taking place on and offsite. Although most…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":130,"featured_media":16782,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[176,133],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16781","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community-sustainability","category-safety-and-security"],"yoast_head":"\n