WATCH: Freeway Park besieged by river of sewage

Residents of Freeway Park Zone Four, claim to have been experiencing health issues for several months and blame this on overflowing sewage in a wetland and stream on Terhon Road near the N17.

The Boksburg Advertiser was greeted by a lingering and horrid stench when we visited the area this week.
Trails of sewage run through the veld into the wetland and stream were visible on the muddy ground and the property of the nearby Scout hall.

Investigation
Alarmed by the unbearable odour, outbreaks of illnesses and an infestation of flies and rats, residents investigated what was causing these health problems.
Their preliminary investigation revealed the wastewater pump station in the veld next to Terhon Road had stopped working, resulting in raw sewage flowing into the open veld and stream.

The problem has persisted for a few months. Residents say they reported it to the council.
One resident, Vanessa Kilian, recounted the many times residents contacted the city, ward councillors and other local authorities, but with no joy.
“We reported the dysfunctional main sewer line numerous times, but our calls to have this fixed fell on deaf ears.
“We received reference numbers but they too closed after a few weeks. What is more infuriating is that no one seems to care about our grievances.”

Illnesses
According to Kilian, many residents developed illnesses they believe are caused by the disgusting odour of the layers of sewage.

“Our community is sick; our children and grandmothers are sick. My daughter had to see a neurologist in November because she had constant severe migraines, burning nostrils, chest problems and nausea – all of the breathing in this smell.

“The wastewater has been running out like a river, poisoning the environment, including the Scout hall where youngsters perform their activities at least once a week on the lawn.
“You can smell it even when you are inside the house. It’s disgusting.”

Kilian added that they have also noticed that the wildlife, including different bird species, has disappeared from the area. The reeds are also dying.
“Rats that are as big as cats have been invading our homes,” she said.

Another community member, an environmentalist, Talfryn Harris, described this as an environmental disaster.
He warned that the situation could lead to the outbreak of diseases like cholera.

“The problem we have picked up is that there are lots of big rats because there is a new food source for them, the sewage itself.
“Rats are a problem in themselves because they, apart from damaging wires and other materials, also spread diseases.
“Then, of course, there is the unbearable smell residents have to put up with.”

Pollution
“A worst-case scenario, is the damage this raw sewage is causing to our natural water resources,” said Harris.

He pointed out that in nature, wetlands can absorb the filth, basically clean our water for us, but cannot deal with pollutants of that magnitude.

“This is our water resources we depend on for life and it is shocking that this poisoning of the environment is not getting the urgency it deserves from our representatives and local government.
“This will definitely impact our drinking water because the water from this stream flows into the Natalspruit River, which then flows into the Vaal.

The municipality has not yet responded to questions on whether or not being aware of the delays to repair its pump station and what it was doing to fix the problem.
The Advertiser is awaiting comment on the issue from the city.

Residents also complained about the lack of grass-cutting services in the area, saying the overgrown grass and weeds at the pump station have not been cut for over a year and there doesn’t seem to be any plan to do so.

Also Read: Residents seek an end to sewage spill