Illegally built structures delay work to repair the damaged sewer line that has for weeks been sending gallons of raw sewage into people’s homes and onto the nearby streets of Reiger Park.
Preliminary investigation indicated the metro still has a long way to go before the massive spill of untreated sewage in Martin du Preez Street is dealt with permanently.
Residents have since early February been struggling to keep up with the smell of the sewage water, consisting of human waste, used toilet papers and condoms.
Even residents living a few blocks away from the damaged pipe are complaining that sewage is spilling into their homes, out of toilets and bath plugholes.
The metro confirmed the spillage is caused by an underground broken sewer line located under structures that were illegally built on the council servitude.
According to metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, the illegal structures, which include houses and shacks, impede the City’s timely and effective response to stop the problem.
“Officials have carried out an investigation into the cause of the spill. It was found that the structures built on it need to be removed to allow excavation for repair purposes.
“As a short-term solution, we have on numerous occasions used a jet truck to unblock the sewer by pumping out the sewage, but that intervention had not been yielding any positive results as the pipe is still releasing the sewage into people’s homes.
“The only viable solution will be to directly access the sewer pipe, estimated to be 2-3m deep, by excavating and conducting necessary repairs.
“The owners of the structures were made aware of the illegal structure which needs to be removed to allow the team to do excavations. We have now sent the request to the building control section for assistance with the removal processes,” explained Dlamini, who warned residents against encroaching on municipal servitudes.
According to one of the affected residents, Lettie Williams, some of the residents, including children, complain of stomach bugs.
She believes this is because of the filthy conditions. She pointed out that the pungent smell also attracts flies and mosquitoes.
“The smell of faeces permeates the environment and all the rooms in our houses. Air freshener has become our only defence to escape the stench inside our houses.”
Some residents resorted to digging trenches to send the wastewater to the streets, which then flow to the already overwhelmed stormwater drains.
Unacceptible
Ward 34 councillor Edith Klassen also visited the affected area on March 8, and she described the situation as unacceptable.
She promised to work with the municipal officials to try and accelerate the process to start repair work.
“We need to do the right thing for our community. If it’s required that the structures be demolished to access the pipe, then officials must do it. Our people cannot continue to suffer like this,” said Klassen.
Following a brief meeting between municipal officials and the councillor on March 8, it was agreed that Klassen would address the residents who are directly impacted by the spillage and explain the way forward.
Also Read: Sewage poison Bokkie Park dam
Also Read: Sewage crisis: watch sewage seeps into stormwater drain in Boksburg
