Lack of stormwater maintenance in the spotlight
In January, CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said this was caused by the illegal dumping in the vlei area. The matter is still receiving attention.
Ward 92 Clr Kade Guerreiro has sounded alarm bells about the condition of the stormwater servitude that cuts through Shelton Avenue Park.
Filled with overgrown vegetation, debris, illegally dumped items and suspected contaminants from further upstream, Guerreiro described the essential infrastructure as being almost ineffective.
Following reportage earlier this year by Bedfordview and Edenvale News, Guerreiro thanked Lisa Aitkins Essentially Edenvale Team and the parks department for cutting overgrown vegetation at the park. However, problems continue to persist.
According to Guerreiro, the city has not maintained the stormwater servitude, cleared vegetation or removed debris from it in several years.
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“The city will say that it is the water department’s responsibility. The water department will say it’s the environmental department’s responsibility. It’s a blame game,” said Guerreiro.
He said that all he needs done is for the servitude to be cleaned and cleared of any obstructions.
“All the weeds and all the growth on the side needs to be removed. There are trees that have collapsed into the servitude that need to be removed.”
Besides the servitude that needs to be maintained, Guerreiro said the area around it had turned into a rubbish dump with residents illegally dumping items in the park.
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“Residents used to have picnics in this park. It was a nice community space but it is nothing like that today,” said Guerreiro.
He said the stormwater systems flow south down back into Klopperpark and then Elandsfontein.
Guerreiro believes the contaminant, sewage, is entering the stormwater system from Elandsfontein.
While at the park the familiar smell of raw sewage could be smelled wafting from the servitude.
Bedfordview and Edenvale News’ sister publication Germiston City News has reported extensively on sewage flooding homes and properties in Elandsfontein.
According to City News, residences are frequently flooded by sewage whenever it rains.
In response to enquiries related to the reportage, the City of Ekurhuleni stated that the relevant department was informed of the sewer blockages.
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In January, CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said this was caused by the illegal dumping in the vlei area. The matter is still receiving attention.
He said the informal settlement in Elandsfontein was to blame for the area’s serious sewage problems.
“The illegal dumping activities in the vlei area disrupted some of the manholes, which caused rubble to fall into them, causing blockages. The city also suspects the pipe might have collapsed at some points, worsening the situation.”
A similar situation could be seen when the NEWS and Guerreiro visited the Buurendal attenuation dam, which like the stormwater servitude was overgrown with vegetation and signs of illegal dumping could be seen.
As far as Guerreiro is aware the last time the dam was maintained was in 2021.
Like at the servitude, Guerreiro said pollutants are being reportedly seen by residents entering the stormwater system at the attenuation dam.
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Guerreiro said dyes, believed to be from either the Meadowdale or Tunney are entering the stormwater system flowing under the R24 and into the attenuation dam.
“These are essential parts of infrastructure that need to be maintained especially with the ongoing climate changes.
“With the recent heavy rains that have occurred I’m surprised these systems have managed but they need to be maintained,” said Guerreiro.
A request for comment was sent to the CoE on April 11 requesting comment by April 12 at 14:00. At the time of going to print no comment was received.
