The Democratic Alliance (DA) has reported Dawid Kruiper municipality to the Green Scorpions for failing to stop sewage from spilling into the town’s irrigation canal, for three weeks and counting.
Pooled up sewage, coming from the greater town area, is contaminating the canal in the vicinity of the municipality’s electrical unit in Cohen Road. From there, the canal runs through the town, past the Oasis Resort, through Lemoendraai and then along the Keimoes Road to Mctaggarts Camp.
The canal is used for the irrigation of town gardens and also by emerging farmers for vineyards, lucerne as well as sheep and cattle. Communities in areas like Ses Brugge, Klippunt and Kalksloot also make use of the canal water for household purposes.
The situation poses a serious health risk to the community surrounding the canal, especially to people and animals using the water and consuming the produce that is being irrigated with it. The situation also poses an economic risk to the smallholder farmers, whose livelihoods are being threatened by the resultant water quality issues.
Sewage in the canal water is also triggering an algal growth, which is aggravated by high temperatures. This is making canal maintenance increasingly difficult for the Upington Besproeiingsraad.
I reported the sewage spill to the Municipal Manager and the Director of Civil Services three weeks ago. The municipality inspected the site last week but there remains no sense of urgency to stop the sewage leak.
The DA also submitted a written complaint to the MEC of Environment, Mase Manopole, and the Green Scorpions for their urgent attention.
Given the reliance of many communities on canal water, especially amidst ongoing water restrictions being imposed in Upington, the situation cannot be left to develop into a bigger health and water crisis.