A steady stream of dark, foul-smelling water has become an unsettling reality for motorists and residents along State Road in President Park.
According to residents, the black, algae-covered water, which they suspect may contain sewage, appears to be coming from a blocked sewer line at a nearby property they cannot access. The matter has reportedly been logged with Johannesburg Water since last year, but has still not been attended to.
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Resident Aliye Flint said the situation is unbearable. “The water is very stinky. It’s running down State Road. It seems to flow more in the morning than when we come home in the afternoon, and yes, it’s very stinky and gets onto cars. It’s also making its way down into the river.”
Flint explained that when the issue first started, about eight months ago, the water was flowing only as far as the corner of Hofmeyer and State roads. However, after grading work was carried out on the road, the flow appears to have worsened.
“We noticed eight months ago it was running till the corner of Hofmeyer and State roads. Then the grader graded the road, and for the past month it has been coming all the way down State Road.”
In the community group chat, another resident said: “Just yesterday, I drove down that road and saw this water after a long time and reckoned it was time this matter was reported. I rarely use Hofmeyer and State roads, but I can state, very confidently, that this raw sewage has been running for more than a year.”
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Residents fear the stagnant, contaminated water poses a health risk to families, pets, and motorists, particularly as it splashes onto vehicles and runs into nearby natural water sources.
“This particular issue has been reported many, many times, and we have had numerous officials come to evaluate the situation. It is currently in court,” said another resident.
Midrand Reporter sent an inquiry to Johannesburg Water on February 19 for comment on the matter, and to establish whether the issue has been logged and scheduled for repair. A response was not received by the time of publication, despite follow-ups with the entity on February 22 and 23.
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