Follow-up: Relief for Dalpark Ext 1 residents as long-standing sewage spill is resolved
After weeks of enduring overflowing sewage, flooded homes and unbearable conditions, residents can finally breathe easy.
The City of Ekurhuleni has confirmed that a broken sewage pump was the cause of the severe sewage spill in Dalpark Ext 1 which affected residents for more than a month.
Residents can now breathe a sigh of relief, and fresh air, as the issue has been resolved.
As reported in the Brakpan Herald’s May 2 edition, despite requiring immediate intervention, the situation escalated into a serious health and environmental hazard.
Read: No answers from municipality as sewage spill crisis in Dalpark Ext 1 worsens
Repeated attempts by many residents to have the matter resolved appeared to fall on deaf ears.
One of the worst affected properties was located along Lanyard Road, at the home of Veronica Partridge, where the main sewage drain in the backyard was completely blocked.
There was raw sewage overflowing on the property, saturating the garden and flowing into the nearby dam.
The Van Dyk Dam, which is fed by the Rietspruit, is located within the bird sanctuary inside the suburb.
According to Partridge, her pets and grandchildren were unable to safely use the outdoor space, and her home was filled with the unbearable stench of sewage.
The home’s bathroom facilities were also unusable due to sewage backing up through the showers and baths, and a bedroom was flooded twice, causing water damage to wood furnishings and cupboards.
Many other households were similarly affected, with sewage pushing up into tubs and toilets, and yards and even garages flooded.
Partridge complained that the municipality had done nothing to address this urgent issue, which posed not only a direct threat to her family’s health and safety, but also to the environment, given that waste was contaminating local water sources.
CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini explained that the broken sewage pump has since been repaired, and that the delay in attending to the issue was a result of the pump station’s location.
“The pump station is situated next to the wetland, hence the delay. Trucks and TLBs get stuck in the mud when trying to access the pump,” he said.
“The team put dump rocks on the access road to enable access into the pump station.”
When asked what the usual turnaround time for attending to sewage leaks is, Dlamini replied, depending on the problem, 48 hours.
With regards to the sewage in the dam, Dlamini stated assessments will be done to determine the extent of the pollution and the possible intervention.
He added that residents can claim from the municipality for damage to their homes, but each issue will be investigated and dealt with on its own merits.
Claim forms are available on the city’s website at www.ekurhuleni.gov.za
