CoE responds to sewage concerns in Isandovale
“Tree roots can enter the sewer network via open manholes, damaged pipes or at open joints on the sewer pipes.”
A sewer blockage was identified by the City of Ekurhuleni as the cause for wastewater to seep into and flood Isandovale resident Steve Lupke-Read’s garden.
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In July, Lupke-Read contacted the paper and highlighted concerns about deteriorating municipal infrastructure after his garden was filled with sewage in June.
Lupke-Read said his garden was flooded for two weeks before the municipality unblocked the affected pipe.
He was told the reason sewage is leaking out of the pipe was tree roots had grown into the pipes and had blocked them.
CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said a mainline sewer blockage affected Lupke-Read’s property.
He said the city received a complaint of a sewer blockage on April 12 and cleared the blockage on April 13.
“This is within acceptable service delivery standards,” said Dlamini.
No information was provided to the NEWS about the city’s mid-year response to the leak.
Dlamini said the city, through the use of a contractor, cleared the blockage using a high-pressure water jet truck.
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When questioned about the likelihood of tree roots blocking sewerage pipes Dlamini said it is possible.
“Tree roots can enter the sewer network via open manholes, damaged pipes or at open joints on the sewer pipes,” he explained.
He said when sewerage pipes are blocked by tree roots, it is possible to clear the infrastructure by cutting the roots out. This is done when needed.
When questioned about the viability of replacing the sewerage line’s pipes with large pipes, Dlamini said it would not alleviate the problem.
“The size of the pipes is not the cause of the blockage. Replacing the pipe with a pipe of a different size is therefore not a viable solution.”
Following the NEWS enquiry and Lupke-Read identifying his concerns, Dlamini said the city would also add the sewer pipeline in question to its list for preventative maintenance. The city will then cut out tree roots on an annual basis.
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To protect its infrastructure, Dlamini highlighted that CoE has a clause in its township establishment conditions which prohibits property owners from planting and growing large-rooted trees near servitudes in their property’s boundaries.
He said property owners should remove large-root trees from servitudes.
“This will limit the occurrence of tree roots entering the sewer system and the occurrence of sewer blockages.”
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