Durban residents have been warned to stay clear of the Palmiet River after a sewage spill.

The eThekwini Municipality on Wednesday said the two kilometers of the Umgeni River below the confluence with the Palmiet River below Blair Road was also contaminated.

 “While doing necessary repairs‚ there was a blockage in the drainage line of Blair Road Sewage Pump Station in Pinetown causing flooding in the pump station which resulted in effluent being discharged into the Palmiet River.”

“A back-up pump at the Blair Road Sewage Pump Station was immediately turned on resulting in no further effluent being discharged into Palmiet River‚” said municipal spokesperson Tozi Mthethwa.

She warned the public‚ including those who use the river recreationally for water sports such as canoeing‚ to be aware of the possible health risks and avoid contact with the water.

 “The matter is receiving attention by the relevant municipal department. The four pumps‚ which were flooded at the station‚ are undergoing repairs and are expected to be operational tomorrow (Thursday). Currently two back-up pumps are operational at the station‚” she said.

 The spill comes as the city hosts the 5th Waste Khoro.

Speaking at the summit yesterday‚ Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa said the two-day summit themed “Promoting Innovation and Upscaling Enterprise Development” is aimed at improved service delivery and fast turnaround of waste management practices to promote the recycling economy.

 The department will also publish the country’s first national state of waste report later this year.

 Meanwhile‚ four beaches were temporarily closed as a safety precaution earlier this month when antiretroviral drugs‚ medication to treat hypertension‚ heart failure and TB as well as condoms washed ashore.

 eThekwini Municipality has since said investigations to find the source of the pharmaceutical waste were ongoing.