Open discharge of sewage in Lae

 A NUMBER of residential properties and industries, including commercial properties are openly discharging waste water from their premises to drains within the city. This is illegal.

Untreated sewage contains a wide array of pathogens, chemicals and nutrients, many of which pose a threat to human health and even worse is the odour that is a common occurrence.

Highlands Security Premises openly discharges sewage to a small drain that runs adjacent to residents towards the Buimo clinic, fouls smell is common in Eriku, in front of Anderson Foodland and towards Pelgens supermarket, whilst business houses within the Vele Remuna building are openly discharging to the concrete drain in front of it, adjacent to the old ANZ building.

It does not require a trained eye to notice the proliferations of algae in this man made channels, as a consequence of these discharges, which now have become urban sewage creeks and the obnoxious odours one has to put up with when passing these sites.

Such practises are wrong as there are laws that prohibit them.

For instance, the Public Health Act 1973, Environment Act 2000 and Water and Sewerage Act 1986 prohibit such exploitation and those responsible can be prosecuted. 

It is a public health issue in Lae but why are respective authorities not doing anything? 

It obviously did not happen yesterday. 

What is Lae city council’s role in this and how long can this open public defecating be allowed to prevail?

Niglnem

Lae