RECENTLY, a Glenwood resident expressed concerns over the sewerage system in Berea, citing various spots around Berea where sewage is continuously overflowing.

This leaves him questioning whether Berea’s sewerage system has adequate capacity.

John Hattingh of Glenwood expressed frustration over the constant overflow of sewage, saying it is due to new industrial buildings that are being built in the area which is predominantly residential.

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Hattingh questioned the City, saying, “I wonder if the municipality considers the sewerage systems when they are planning new buildings, and do they upgrade the sewers to cater for the new buildings’ occupancy? Is adequate sewerage capacity considered when plans are approved?

To our knowledge, no major upgrading of the sewerage system has taken place in the area in the past decade. Stands to reason, does it not, that the system designed for typical residential areas is not going to cope?”

Hattingh says that Cato Road, below St Augustine’s Hospital, has, in recent months, persistently had sewage overflows from the manholes in the street, and he cited other problem spots in the area. “Recently, the phenomenon spread to the upper extremity of Helen Joseph Road, where a sinkhole, soon big enough to swallow a small car, is making its presence felt.”

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“There is also the long-running case of a Springfield Road, Morningside resident whose home is regularly swamped by sewage as a consequence of problems on the main sewer line. Again, this is because of poor maintenance and poor planning,” said Hattingh.

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