Elspark residents concerned about environmental hazards
Despite numerous complaints to the city, residents claim that little has been done to address the problem.
The residents of Elspark are raising concerns about improper sewage disposal and illegal dumping in their community.
According to residents, they have seen trucks in Terhone Street disposing of sewage into the wetlands.
“The pungent odour of waste poses a potential health risk. You can’t even sit and enjoy your food.
“We don’t even open the windows because of the smell,” said Samantha Kerk.
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She said that when they bought their house two years ago, they never expected to face such a challenge.
“We can’t even enjoy sitting outside or swimming because of the horrible smell. We are frustrated and demand urgent action from the city to address this matter,” said Kerk.
According to residents, the illegal disposal has been happening for a while. Although they have reported the issue, they have not seen any officials inspect the situation.
“This is a serious risk to our families and children who live nearby. On hot days, the smell is unbearable, and the number of flies attracted to the area is terrible.
“We are worried about diseases spreading. It’s not safe for anyone in the neighbourhood,” said another resident.
Despite numerous complaints to the city, residents claim that little has been done to address the problem.
They say they are simply asking for a clean and safe environment to live in.
Another concern raised is the impact on property values.
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“No one wants to live in a sewage-infested area. If we want to sell, who is going to buy a house in such conditions? The smell alone is enough to chase a buyer away,” said a resident.
Germiston City News questioned the city about its protocols for sewage disposal and whether it was aware of the issue.
“The city is not aware of the issue. We would like to request that residents provide the department with details of the incident, such as the truck’s registration number and pictures,” said city spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.
He added that the city has measures in place to monitor companies.
“Service providers contracted to CoE for servicing chemical toilets and pump stations are monitored to ensure they dispose of waste at the correct sites.
“Officials are always on the lookout for illegal sewage dumping by waste management companies.
“When caught, CoE’s Environmental Resource Management department is notified.
“If the contamination is caused by service providers contracted to the city, the department can issue penalties and instruct them to rehabilitate the contaminated area,” said Dlamini.
