Sewage overflow cripples Alberton storage facility as City fails to act
The unbearable stench of raw sewage isn't the only thing the company is dealing with—loss of income, health risks and inaction are piling up
A persistent sewage overflow at a property in Elandsfontein, Alberton, is not only threatening the operations of a local business but has also turned a long-standing infrastructure issue into what staff now call an ‘operational crisis’.
The self storage facility, located at 44 Goodwood Road in New Market, is bearing the brunt of an ongoing sewerage blockage originating from the neighbouring property at 35 Epsom Road.
Despite repeated complaints dating back months, and even years, staff say the City of Ekurhuleni has failed to take meaningful action.
The latest incident, reported in late March, has left human waste, sanitary products, and foul-smelling sewage water flooding the parking bays, compromising hygiene and driving away customers.
“It’s become unbearable,” said Nikita Gerber, branch manager at the company. “We’ve lost clients, our on-site employees are being forced to live in these deplorable conditions, and we’re unable to conduct proper maintenance or even basic security checks because the sewage has compromised the electrical systems. This isn’t just a health hazard anymore – it’s a full-blown business emergency.”
The passage between the two properties, believed to be council-owned land, has reportedly been used as an illegal dumping site by the neighbouring property, which allegedly broke part of their wall to redirect the sewage flow.
The result is a flood of filth pouring directly into the premises, undermining beams, shorting electric fencing, and turning a professional facility into a no-go zone.
Gerber says the problems began before she took over management nearly two years ago.
Since then, multiple complaints have been logged via the My COE App, phone calls, and WhatsApp conversations with a municipal contact.
Most of these cases were closed without any intervention on site.
“We’ve tried everything – formal complaints, follow-ups, photos, videos, and voice notes. We’ve kept all the evidence and engaged continuously, but nothing is being done. At this point, we’re asking: What must we do to get help?” Gerber said.
The unsanitary conditions have left clients unwilling to park their caravans and trailers in the facility’s bays and prospective customers are turning away due to the smell and sight of raw sewage.
The company is now calling on the City of Ekurhuleni to intervene with urgency and provide a long-term solution to a crisis that has gone unresolved far too long.
The business also demands accountability for the repeated closure of unresolved tickets, which Gerber describes as “beyond frustrating and negligent.”
“All we want is a clean, safe environment for our clients and staff. It’s the least any business should expect,” she said.
Alberton Record has sent an official enquiry to the City of Ekurhuleni regarding this matter and is currently waiting for a response.
