Gerda Lombard writes by email:
Regarding the sewage at Jan Smuts Park (“Runners battle through sewage at Jan Smuts Park,” Herald, July 6), which according to Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe, was resolved, I can report that nothing was done about the raw sewage draining/dripping/leaking into the main road at the park.
I and 80 other park runners had to struggle and slide through the muck again.
I can clearly see that nothing was done as the tall grass and growth which is nearly two meters high has not been touched or removed to look for the problem.
It is truly disappointing that a member of our esteemed municipality can blatantly lie to readers.
Would it be possible for the municipality to really give it a go this time and maybe send someone to fix the problem?
Also read: Sewage problem makes councillor’s blood boil
Editor’s note: Comment on the matter was requested from the City of Ekurhuleni and the following response was received:
“The water has been tested on numerous occasions to determine traces of sewage or origin and it was found that no chlorine, nor sewer particles are present,” said spokesperson Themba Gadebe.
“The logical assumption is then that this is groundwater or even a natural fountain.
“The water table around the dam is rising due to the fact that hyacinth is blocking the stormwater system outlets, causing the water to push back into the drainage systems and leak out at points higher up.
“A proposed solution may be to install a French drain parallel to the road on the higher side.
“We, however, discovered a major sewer blockage north west of the dam which our team has attended to.
“This was not reported and a higher percentage of blockages inside the dam boundaries are not reported due to poor visibility from outside the dam boundary fence.
“An additional schedule will be introduced to the sewer teams to inspect the dam premises twice a week.”
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