Pump station vandalism plagues city
“The cables from the panel to the pump were stolen, as well as another cable for lights and flood lights.”
Plagued by continuous acts of vandalism and the site of opportunistic criminal activities, the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) stated plans are in place to phase out the Spartan sewage pump station.
Until the pump station is phased out, the city has called on the public and local stakeholders to assist it.
“We must expose the criminals continuously damaging the infrastructure. All the talk about security would be unnecessary if thieves were not targeting municipal infrastructure.”
Vandalism at the pump station was again highlighted during a recent Bedfordview and Edenvale News visit to the facility, accompanied by Ward 18 Ald Heather Hart and Ward 18 environmental portfolio committee member, Lisa Atkins.
During the visit, the pump station was again non-operational.
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Hart said it was brought to her attention that electrical cables were again reportedly damaged and a coupling damaged and disconnected. With the damage inflicted the facility was brought to its knees.
A disappointed Atkins and Hart were in disbelief that the facility was once again not working.
While at the facility for the second time, a thick oily sludge could be seen in the sump.
“Budget is a large constraint with regards to this facility,” explained Hart.
Each time the facility is damaged and essential parts taken, the station ceases to operate.
This results in large amounts of wastewater, sewage and other pollutants flooding the upper part of the Illiondale Wetland closest to Vuurslag Avenue.
For months, damage caused by vandalism has plagued this CoE facility.
Hart highlighted the Spartan facility formed part of a gravity sewer line project, which would see it connected to the gravity line in Illiondale.
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In January Dlamini confirmed this, stating that the city had a long-term plan to phase out the pump station.
He said the pump station would be replaced with a gravity pipeline that would drain the flow into the Illiondale outfall sewer line.
“With the new budget it will be interesting to see if any funds were allocated to the project,” said Hart.
In January Bedfordview and Edenvale News spoke to microbiologist and concerned community member Dr Irwin Juckes of Edenvale River Watch.
After he identified pollution in the wetland last June, Juckes sought the source, leading him to the pump station.
The damage was reportedly caused last year when a nearby waste management company caught alight.
In July, Ekurhuleni’s DEMS told the NEWS’ sister publication, Kempton Express, that the cause of the fire was unknown and no injuries were reported.
Commenting on the vandalism, city spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said in January the pump station ceased to function because of vandalism and two burst pipes.
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He said vandals damaged the property on November 18 when the cable to the pump was cut and stolen.
In response to the second visit to the station and a media enquiry, Dlamini confirmed another incident of vandalism.
“The cables from the panel to the pump were stolen, as well as another cable for lights and flood lights,” he said.
The damage brought the station to its knees making it inoperable.
However, he said the facility was since brought back online after the city replaced the cables and lights.
“It must be emphasised that such acts of vandalism mean the city must stop other projects and work of the municipality to focus on something that could be avoided.”
Although the facility is operational again Dlamini said the oily sludge-like substance still needs to be removed.
“The city’s water quality section will investigate and trace the source of this oil and identify the culprit.”
He said investigations are underway.
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Emphasising security at the facility, Dlamini said the city will continue to deploy security personnel at the site.
Confirming Hart’s hopes, Dlamini said the city made progress on the project.
“The project will be funded from the Phasing out of Sewer Pump Stations vote that is currently allocated a R30 000 000 budget for the 2024/25 financial year,” said Dlamini.
He said the project will start once the applications for a water use license from the National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), environmental authorisation from the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) are approved as well as the registration of a servitude completed.
He said they expect these procedures to be concluded in the second half of the 2024/25 financial year.
