The City of Tshwane has called on communities in and around Centurion to stay indoors as long as possible as it tries to get rid of a foul smell that residents have complained about.
The municipality has blamed the odour on illegal dumping of oil by a chemical disposing company and vowed to press criminal charges against the company.
“Recently, the City of Tshwane has received various complaints regarding a noxious odour being detected in various neighbourhoods in Centurion.
Investigations have since revealed the source as illegal dumping of oil by a liquid waste disposal service provider in the vicinity of Sunderland Ridge Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW),” said Mayoral Committee Member responsible for environment Ziyanda Zwane.
Zwane said the illegal dumping has also affected the Sunderland Ridge Wastewater Treatment Works.
“The situation is currently being monitored by the city as not only unpleasant odours are being emitted, but the quality of the final effluent being released by Sunderland Ridge WWTW might also be compromised, which may have significant detrimental impacts on the natural environment downstream of Sunderland Ridge WWTW,” said the MMC.
Zwane advised residents to stay indoors while the metro was enlisting the help of the national government to pursue criminal charges against the said company.
“The City of Tshwane Environmental Management Inspectorate, also known as the Green Scorpions, is currently working with the National Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries to charge the said liquid waste service provider and the company in question criminally in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998).
Affected residents are advised to stay indoors and close windows and doors when the odour is detected, and to avoid the river downstream of Sunderland Ridge WWTW until further notice,” he said.