Pump stations in Pinehaven have become a major concern for residents and the surrounding environment due to a lack of proper maintenance. This has raised questions about whether Mogale City’s basic infrastructure can adequately serve the community and manage associated risks.

The Pinehaven sewage pump station is reportedly on the verge of becoming a full-scale health and environmental disaster.

According to Councillor Lourens Gouws, within just one week, sewage spills occurred twice after two of the three pumps failed. The municipality is currently pumping out the sewage and transporting it to the Percy Steward pump station. The damaged pumps have been sent for repairs, which are expected to take several weeks, and some pipelines have also been damaged.

Meanwhile, local properties frequently experience flooding during these spills, with sewage entering homes.

“Pinehaven has suffered from regular sewage spills for years, resulting in severe pollution of wetlands, drains, and groundwater. Residents endure unbearable stench and live with the risk of disease transmission every day,” said Gouws.

He added that the municipality’s current “quick fix” approach – temporary pumps and minor patching – is not sustainable.
“It only masks the underlying decay of critical infrastructure, causing the same crisis to recur repeatedly.”

Gouws confirmed that the issue has been placed on the agenda of the Oversight Committee on Water, Power and Sewage Networks, with demands for immediate municipal intervention. This includes replacing or properly repairing pumps and pipelines, and conducting a thorough investigation into the causes of repeated failures.

In June 2024, the municipality reported that most of the required maintenance, which requires specialist skills, equipment, and other resources, would be carried out by a contractor. This followed the end of a previous contract intended to improve water and sanitation infrastructure. At that time, four major sewage pump stations were targeted for refurbishment within the 2023/ 24 financial year. However, issues persist.

The Krugersdorp News attended an oversight visit in the area and noted that while much of the sewage had been removed, debris remained, indicating that the municipality still needs to complete the work.

This week, the municipality launched a hands-on intervention to address the ongoing issues. Senior communications practitioner Tendani Shavani confirmed that the backlog of infrastructure maintenance programmes would be included.

“The week-long initiative forms part of a hands-on approach aimed at bringing municipal services closer to residents, restoring and improving critical infrastructure, and addressing identified service gaps. The programme seeks to ensure essential services are delivered efficiently, responsively, and urgently,” said Shavani.

Also read: Mogale City targets service backlogs in Azaadville