Residents endure days of sewage nightmare
Waterford Estate East residents were left to swim in raw sewage that flows through their homes and are pleading for urgent assistance from Joburg Water.
Residents of Waterford Estate East in Fourways are living a distressing reality, as raw sewage has flooded their homes for days.
According to resident Surita Volland, despite their urgent calls for help, Joburg Water had been unresponsive, leaving them to live in a sewage nightmare.
Read more: WATCH: Sewage pours into Fourways homes for days, and its not over yet
Volland expressed her horror at the situation. “I cringe when I look at it and we’ve been living with the stench for days now.”
“To think of the health risks posed by such unsanitary conditions. The worst part is when we flush the toilets, the raw sewage floats up through the shower.”
Volland said she and her neighbours reported the sewage issue, but each time they did, Joburg Water closed the tickets, incorrectly marking the issue as ‘resolved.’
“On Saturday [February 22] evening, the team from Joburg Water arrived at 19:15 and left shortly after. They didn’t even get access to the complex and just left. We have escalated the query now every day since Sunday night.”
“It’s incredibly frustrating. I understand why some people resort to burning tyres because, without that kind of protest, nothing gets done.”
Also read: The sewage issue at Lonehill Dam persists despite Johannesburg Waters repairs
Ward 115 councillor Mark van der Merwe said the Joburg Water team was on site on February 22, and they could not get access to all properties in the estate. The sewer team and security tried to locate the resident whose property needed access, and after 20 minutes of waiting, the teams left to handle other issues.
However, on February 27, the Joburg Water team returned. Volland said, “We just had the task team from JW here, and it looks like the problem is bigger than just the four houses. It goes right down to the main pipe [over the river] that is cracked/leaking in the Klein Jukskei River. But it looks like we are now getting somewhere.”
Van der Merwe concluded, “I was informed that there was a meeting concerning the sewer infrastructure today in the Maroeladal area. Unfortunately, I was in a council meeting, so I have no idea what was discussed as this meeting was conducted without my knowledge and any feedback to me.
“I have requested an immediate update from the Joburg Water regional manager and the Joburg Water depot manager.”
@caxtonjoburgnorth Estate families covered in masks to avoid inhaling terrible sewage stench. #sama28 #caxtonlocalmedia
Fourways Review contacted Joburg Water for comment. Nombuso Shabalala of Joburg Water confirmed they received the inquiry and said, “I have forwarded your query to the relevant depot, and will revert upon their response.”
No further response was received from Joburg Water before going to print.
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