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UPL South Africa Press Statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UPL South Africa Addresses Fish Die-Off on Umhlanga beaches
[Durban, South Africa – April 9, 2024]
UPL South Africa shares public concern over the fish die-off recorded on the beach at the Ohlanga Estuary mouth over the weekend of April 5 to 7, which preliminary analysis suggests was caused by untreated sewage overflows, rather than substances relating to the 2021 spill.
UPL South
Africa Press Statement
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UPL
South Africa Addresses Fish Die-Off on Umhlanga beaches
[Durban,
South Africa – April 9, 2024]
UPL South Africa
shares public concern over the fish die-off recorded on the beach at the
Ohlanga Estuary mouth over the weekend of April 5 to 7, which preliminary
analysis suggests was caused by untreated sewage overflows, rather than
substances relating to the 2021 spill.
On
Saturday, April 6, an independent environmental expert in collaboration with a
Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) official investigated an area
stretching from upstream of the leased UPL Cornubia site to the Ohlanga River
and down to start of the estuary. Their findings showed 100% dissolved oxygen
levels upstream and downstream of the UPL site. However, testing showed a
significant drop to 65% dissolved oxygen in the Ohlanga River below Blackburn
village at the bridge, pointing to a factor in that area potentially affecting
the river’s health.
Further
investigations revealed that a sewage overflow had occurred from the Blackburn
sewage pump station and was the likely cause of low oxygen levels in this point
of the river. This, along with the high levels of ammonia typically found in
sewage, potentially led to the fish die-off. Workers at the Blackburn sewage
pump station confirmed that overflow occurred between Friday April 5 and
Saturday April 6, and was a regular occurrence. On Monday, it came to light
that further similar infrastructure failures may have occurred at the Siyaba
Node 2 and Waterloo sewage plants.
In this
context, UPL South Africa has again expressed concern to the municipality
regarding the recurring sewage infrastructure issues. The elevated level of
sewage is having a negative impact on the ongoing environmental remediation
efforts of the Ohlanga River and the local aquatic ecosystem. This can only be
addressed through improved communication and action from the municipality to
prevent future incidents to ensure the health of the Ohlanga River and its
surroundings.
UPL South
Africa remains committed to environmental stewardship and is assisting in
ongoing investigations to conclusively determine the incident's cause. In addition,
UPL proactively prepares for adverse weather and continues to implement robust
mitigation measures at the pollution control dam (PCD). This includes treating
water to ensure it is safe to be discharged according to a Department of Water
and Sanitation directive. Further contingency measures are in place in case
rainfall exceeds the ability of the treatment facility, and the combination of
these ensured there was no overtopping (or overflow) of the pollution control
dam.
ENDS
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For media
enquiries, contact:
Gerhard
Mulder
Phone: 083 305 9361
Email: gerhard@resolvecommunications.co.za
