Tema residents dump foreign materials in sewers
Residents of Tema have been cautioned against dumping foreign materials in sewer systems to prevent the constant bursting of sewers in the metropolis.
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During repairs, items found in the choked systems included diapers, jeans, sanitary pads, brassieres, rags, stones and sticks, among others.
One area of concern where the system burst occurred constantly was the Tema Central Market where shops got flooded with faecal matter.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic, the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Isaac Ashia Odamtten, expressed disgust at the dumping of such foreign materials in the sewer system.
He observed that the behaviour of such residents could be out of ignorance or deliberate. Mr Odamtten appealed for attitudinal change to save the sewer system.
He disclosed that the assembly would intensify its town hall programmes to educate residents on the use of the sewer.
Faulty sewer
Tema is a planned city with its sewer systems underground and controlled at a pumping station which treats the waste.
Unfortunately, the pumping station has been down in the last 20 years.
As a result, any foreign material dumped into the sewer cannot be pushed out, thereby creating a blockage.
The Metro Public Relations Officer, Mr Frank Asante, who confirmed the breakdown of the sewer pumping station, noted that it would be capital intensive to overhaul the station.
He added his voice to the appeal to residents to be cautious in the use of the sewer system which is over 50 years old.
Mr Asante said efforts by the assembly to replace some of the sewer lines could sustain its performance if residents used it cautiously.
He warned of an upthrust if residents continued to be careless with what they dumped into the system.
