People living near the Black River will soon notice an improvement to the colour and smell of the water flowing through the area. Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste, Xanthea Limberg says that aging infrastructure at the Athlone Wastewater treatment works has contributed to the odour wafting over the area.

She says that the City is attending to the problem, and that it will take some time for the biological processes to re-establish themselves. An odour suppressant is also being used to address the smell.

Meanwhile the City is compiling a mitigation plan to address the potential impacts on the receiving environment.