Metro reacts to calls for action on sewage spills

The city, however, refuted claims that the source of the water that is continually flooding the road is a damaged underground water pipe, saying the department could not find any damaged or leaking pipes in need of repair.

April 29, 2024

Fanie Mthupha 1 minute read

The metro has finally stopped the weeks-long sewage spill on Solomon Road, but the water leak and illegal dumping still persist.

The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) has finally stopped the weeks-long sewage spill on Solomon Road in Lilainton, but denied digging up channels to direct the toxic waste into the nearby stormwater drain system.

Raw sewage from a broken manhole continued to poison the environment for weeks, while, according to residents, the metro dragged its feet in addressing the long-standing problem.
However, following the Boksburg Advertiser’s investigation and news report on the environmental crisis, the Department of Water and Sanitation dispatched its team to clear the blockage on April 18.
According to metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, the department investigated and found the cause of the frequent sewer blockages is the illegal dumping on the sidewalk in Solomon Road.
“Some of the dumped items then subsequently find their way into the sewer system,” said Dlamini.

This is the source of the sewage discharge on Solomon Road, in Lilianton.

While the metro claims that it was not aware of the sewer blockage until this publication reported it on April 17, it appeared that someone had been to the area to remove the mountains of illegally dumped waste, and dug trenches to divert the wastewater from the damaged drain to flow into the nearby stormwater system.
When asked as to who was assigned to remove the waste, and to create the channels, Dlamini said: “The department does not know who excavated the channels and it was certainly not the city.”

The sewage discharge on Solomon Road is finally over, but the water leak and illegal dumping still persist.

This sewage discharge and underground water pipe leaks in the area have been identified as a recurring issue for over five years. When asked about implementing a long-term solution to the problem, particularly the fractured, ageing drain, the metro elected to play the blame game, saying the cause of the frequent sewer blockages is the illegal dumping on the sidewalk.

He also refuted claims that the source of the water that is continually flooding the road is a damaged underground water pipe. “The department could not find any damaged or leaking pipes in need of repair.”