UPDATE: Sewage spill at the Onrus sewer mainline 26.10.2021
The public has been warned not to swim in the Onrus lagoon due to a pipe that burst on the Onrus rising sewer in Main Road, Onrus River at 12:00 on Monday, 25 October 2021, close to the Negester entrance.
Sewerage from this burst entered the storm water system. Suction tankers were employed immediately at the site of the burst to minimise the effect, as well as at the Onrus Main pump station, which had to be switched off for the repair of the burst pipe, to control the water level in the sump.
Repair work was completed at 21:30 on 25 October 2021.
Water samples will be taken again this morning to determine the impact of the pipe burst on the water quality of the estuary.
The warning signs will only be removed once ODM is satisfied that the water is safe for public recreational use, following sampling and testing and re-sampling as necessary.
SEWAGE SPILL AT THE ONRUS SEWER MAINLINE 25.10.2021
The public has been warned not to swim in the Onrus lagoon due to a pipe that burst on the Onrus sewer main line earlier today, 25 October 2021.
Unfortunately, sewage is running into the stormwater system while repair works are being done.
The following measures have been put in place:
- Signage has been placed at the site and at the estuary mouth
- Initial samples were taken at the canoe point and estuary mouth
- Follow-up samples will be taken early tomorrow morning
- Juno trucks will be at the main pumpstation to keep the sump empty and prevent spillage into the Onrus estuary from the pump station
Whenever a sewage spill occurs, certain procedures are followed.
The Overberg District Municipality (ODM) is the health authority and issues recreational health warnings as a result of its jurisdiction over public health. Signage will only be removed once ODM is satisfied that the water is safe for public recreational use, following sampling and testing and re-sampling as necessary.
