As the looming smells and concerns about the sewage issue in Bonaero Park linger amid the wetlands’ decay, the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) answered some pressing questions.
More than just service delivery paid by residents through rates and taxes, this issue encompasses education, wildlife conservation and natural resources.
Express previously reported that due to sewage problems in Bonaero Park, ward councillors, committee members and Express have been inundated with complaints.The complaints stem from sewage overflow in the Bonaero Park wetlands that once was a thriving seasonal breeding spot for flamingos.
CoE spokesperson Themba Gadebe said the problem is along Marignane Avenue, which will be addressed by the relocation of an approximately 900m (250mm in diameter) Blaaupan sewer line and refurbishment of Bonaero Park pump station.
“The problems are exacerbated by excessive sewer discharges in the area beyond sewer design capacity. To this end, the city is engaging developers of the Jewellery Manufacturing Precinct and In2Food for the rerouting of their sewer line.”
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Gadebe said the proposed scope is to construct a new 160mm diameter sewer line approximately 500m in length to run along the property boundary and connect to the new 315mm diameter pipes under construction.
“The 315mm sewer line is being constructed by the developers of Jan Smuts Extension Two and Three and will connect to the Bonaero Park pump station. This will relieve the pressure on the sewer line running along Aeroparque Street where the sewer is being discharged. All works in this regard are to be funded by the developers.”
Commenting on the city’s aim with the implementation of these plans, Gadebe said the project will be implemented during the 2021/22 financial year after the Water Use Licence and Environmental Authorisation have been issued.
“No budget was allocated for the 2020/21 financial year due to the pending Water Use Licence; budgets for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years are R4-million and R15-m respectively,”Gadebe explained.
Regarding the water pressure issues in the area, “a pressure management project will be initiated during the 2021/22 financial year to deal with the high water pressure and pipe bursts in Kurper Road.”
Low water pressure problems require a major bulk water supply project.
Planning for the required project will commence during the 2021/22 financial year and implementation in the next MTREF period.
Responding to questions about talks that Bonaero Park pumping station is over capacitated, Gadebe said the station is not over capacitated.
“The pump station overflows during rainy seasons due to stormwater ingress onto the 250mm pipe along Marignane Avenue. During dry seasons, the pump station operates normally.”
Residents are discouraged from draining storm water into the sewer system.
In response to questions about how the increasing demand from numerous construction projects will be met, Gadebe said CoE completed detailed designs for the Pomona outfall sewer line, which will phase out the Bonaero Park pump station and Pomona pump station and ultimately discharge at the Hartebeesfontein Waste Water Treatment Works.
“The project will be implemented in phases, starting from the 2020/21 financial year,” Gadebe said.
Although Express requested answers about the treatment and rehabilitation of the wetlands in Bonaero Park, none were provided.
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