Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality pledges to fix Kings Beach sewage issue

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has pledged to fully restore the sewer system in Kings Beach and nearby areas in Gqeberha.

This commitment comes after heavy rainfall caused another sewerage spill in the Kings Beach parking area, despite existing flow control measures and bypass pumping systems at the harbour.

Municipal officials said they contained the spill and are currently cleaning and treating the affected area to lower E. coli levels and eliminate odour.

Prevent further overflows

Anticipating more rainfall in the coming days, the municipality has directed its appointed contractor to install an additional bypass pump to improve stormwater management and help prevent further overflows.

“A second contractor visited the site to assess the damage and begin repair work. What was initially a point repair has escalated into a more extensive intervention due to further collapse of the sewer line.

“The original repair method required specialised dewatering equipment from Cape Town, which would only be available by 13 August, potentially delaying progress. To avoid this, an alternative technology has been selected to expedite the repair process,” the municipality said in a statement.

Budget contraints

The newly appointed contractor confirmed they have all the required pipes in stock and plan to complete the repairs within two to three weeks, provided no further collapses happen during excavation.

The metro reiterated its commitment to maintaining and upgrading the sanitation infrastructure, despite facing challenges from aging systems and budget limitations.

It also recognised the negative impact of the spillages on the broader economy, especially the tourism sector.

“It is for this reason that whenever there is a problem, we swiftly mobilise resources to restore the situation in the shortest possible time. Water quality testing is ongoing to determine when it will be safe to reopen the beach to the public.

“We thank the public for their patience and cooperation, and will continue to provide updates as work progresses,” the municipality said.