Lesedi given 14 days to respond as raw sewage pollutes Blesbokspruit

Lesedi Local Municipality has 14 days to respond to concerns over raw sewage polluting the Blesbokspruit River in Ratanda, following an inspection by the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Dr Jack Bloom.

Bloom visited the Obed Nkosi RDP housing development in Ratanda on August 18 to assess the sewage problems affecting residents.

During the visit, he inspected areas where sewage had reportedly been overflowing from the municipal sewer network and spoke to residents about the ongoing impact on their homes and living conditions.

Among those who raised concerns was Ratanda resident Primrose Thokwane, who showed Bloom sewage affecting her property in Hlatshwayo Street.

Thokwane said the problem had persisted for decades and that repeated complaints to municipal officials and ward councillors had failed to result in a permanent solution.

Overflowing manholes prompt agency warning

Following Bloom’s visit, officials from the Vaal-Orange Catchment Management Agency inspected the area on August 20 and confirmed that raw sewage was overflowing from manholes into the Blesbokspruit.
Residents have described the accumulated sewage in the area as a ‘poo lake’.

In a letter dated September 1, Vaal-Orange Catchment Management Agency (VOCMA) CEO Lerato Morake informed the Lesedi municipal manager of the risk.

“The observed discharge of raw sewage into the Blesbokspruit creates a potential risk of pollution of the water resource and surrounding environment, including potential impacts on surface water, soil, and groundwater resources,” she said.

The Blesbokspruit flows into the Suikerbosrand River, which forms part of the Vaal River system, an important source of water for Gauteng.

VOCMA has given the municipality 14 days to explain why a formal directive should not be issued over the pollution.

Should the municipality fail to provide a satisfactory response, it could be required to immediately stop releasing wastewater into the Blesbokspruit unless the discharge is authorised, submit a plan to repair the affected sewer infrastructure and prevent further spills, and appoint a suitably qualified professional to plan and cost the rehabilitation of land affected by sewage pollution.

The municipality could also be required to implement the approved rehabilitation plan within 30 working days of VOCMA’s approval.

Bloom said the continued pollution of the river and exposure of residents to raw sewage was unacceptable.

“The pollution of our rivers by untreated sewage cannot be allowed to continue. Municipalities have a responsibility to maintain their wastewater infrastructure and protect communities and our water resources. The situation in Ratanda required urgent attention and accountability to ensure that residents are not left to live with sewage problems for prolonged periods,” he said.

The latest intervention has increased pressure on Lesedi Local Municipality to address its aging and failing sewer infrastructure and provide a lasting solution to the sewage problems affecting Ratanda residents.

Comment has been requested from the Lesedi Municipality. At the time of going to press, no response had been received.