IN the last week sewage overflows in La Lucia, uMhlanga and Glenashley have left residents in despair.

The worsening sewage crisis is being attributed to ageing infrastructure and the lack of maintenance and upgrading of existing sewer pump stations.

One of those brought into sharp focus in recent years is the Shelbourne Avenue Pump Station which has backed up or overflowed on more than one occasion.

Ronan Road resident Barbara Jellis explained that the situation has become untenable.

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“We’ve had occasions where raw sewage has overflowed and gone into the stormwater drains which then flows into the sea. We also have a back-up of sewage when the pump stations are not working coming up the pipes up the roads. We also have manhole covers bursting open with raw sewage flowing down pavements and onto roads. Residents have to live with the horrific stench on a daily basis. We’ve also had hundreds of flies appear because of the sewage overflows. People that work and walk to the area have to dodge the sewage as we’ve seen in Armstrong Avenue.

“It is not just one problem, there is no maintenance and no answers as to who the service providers are. This constant hands up in the air situation where the eThekwini Municipality saying there is no money is not on. We pay exorbitant rates for all the services eThekwini provide and we do not see related services being rendered. The bottom line is infrastructure is collapsing around because it cannot support development in the area. As this area has developed with more dwellings, the infrastructure has not kept up. Where does the buck stop?” she questioned.

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Her comments were echoed by Ward 35 councillor Bradley Singh.

“The situation around sewage and sewerage infrastructure is critically severe, as the municipality has neglected to upgrade its infrastructure for decades. This lack of maintenance and failure to enhance the infrastructure has led to raw sewage overflowing into the stormwater system, ultimately contaminating the ocean. Despite the absence of foresight and planning, the city has permitted developments to proceed without the required infrastructure improvements. If urgent improvements are not initiated, sewage issues will continue to only get worse,” he said.

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