Sewerage systems next casualty of power cuts

South Africa's sewerage systems could be the next big problem if massive and unplanned power outages continue. In Mpumalanga, several sewerage systems malfunctioned during the recent load shedding.

Raw sewage spilt into several streams and rivers around Nelspruit. White River was worst affected and the health risk is high.

"If that water is used for irrigation and it’s sprayed on trees and vegetables, who knows if the bacteria are still alive or active?" says Simon Evered, from the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa.

Experts believe the water problem in South Africa is bigger than anyone realises and the lack of maintenance and understaffing has now been compounded by load shedding.

"Most of these systems work with electricity and if the power goes off there is a problem… these systems are not made to handle storage and if the power goes out, we have the huge problem of spillage and contamination of water sources," says epidemiologist Jo Barnes.

The Mbombela Municipality says it will have to operate sanitation purification plants and pump stations when there is no electricity.

SABC News, 7 February 2008