DESPATCH residents have raised concerns about sewage being pumped into the Swartkops River because of a blockage at the Windsor pump station.
The alternative is to let the sewage flow towards houses.
But residents say there are other options.
Sakkie du Preez said officials could have sucked the sewage into trucks instead of pumping it into the river.
"All the wildlife in that river will be ruined. This is so shocking and I am sure that there are poor people who are drinking from this river,” he said.
Swanepoel said those in charge should stop their political in-fighting and start serving the community.
Frans Swanepoel, a former councillor in the area, said the blockage had been a problem for a week.
"To prevent it from flooding into the houses they had to pump it into the stormwater, which is unfortunately going into the Swartkops River. This can create a lot of problems for the farmers who are using the river for their land. Their animals also drink from the river,” he said.
Swanepoel said the sewage also posed a threat to the fish in the river.
Swartkops Trust environmental manager Jenny Rump said the situation was shocking.
"We want our rivers clean and I will try to get to the bottom of it. I do not have enough information but I am waiting for the municipality to respond to the questions I sent to them,” she said.
Municipal spokesman Roland Williams said: "Given the current situation as a result of the flooding, much stormwater has been directed into the sewers by the customers. That is what is causing the sewage to spill into the river.”
