A raw sewage spill flowing into the stream at Dabulamanzi Canoe Club and towards Emmarentia Dam has continued for days after a severe blockage compromised the network.

Johannesburg Water (JW) said preliminary investigations found an obstruction in the sewer system caused the overflow, with spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala saying the area had experienced recurring problems involving deliberate obstruction of manholes and sewer lines. “In previous incidents, blankets and other materials were found inside the sewer system and were used to block the flow of sewage,” Shabalala said.

Read more: Johannesburg Water tackles sewage overflow near Emmarentia Dam

According to Shabalala, the obstructions appear to have been placed to redirect sewage flow and create access to downstream manholes with larger chambers. The utility said deliberate blockages made it increasingly difficult for maintenance teams to restore normal flow and contributed to the continued overflow.

JW maintenance teams attended the site on September 9 and September 10 to investigate the problem and attempt to clear the obstruction. Despite extensive efforts, teams were unable to remove the blockage because of its severity. The utility said maintenance equipment became lodged inside the sewer line during clearing attempts. JW has now requested assistance from a specialist service provider with jetting equipment and combination vacuum tanker trucks. The equipment is expected to strengthen efforts to remove the obstruction and restore the sewer network to normal operation. However, the utility has not provided a completion date, saying the complexity of the blockage and deliberate infrastructure obstruction make it difficult to determine how long the work will take.

Shabalala said JW was treating the matter as a priority and would continue working with the appointed service provider to resolve it.

The continued discharge of untreated sewage poses risks beyond the immediate area, particularly as contaminated water flows towards Emmarentia Dam. JW said untreated sewage entering the environment can contaminate water resources and introduce harmful bacteria and pathogens that may affect people and animals exposed to polluted water. Other potential impacts include unpleasant odors and environmental degradation affecting the surrounding ecosystem, with bioremediation to be carried out at the affected site once the blockage is resolved.

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Shabalala said the team would continue with routine and preventative sewer maintenance programmes and increase monitoring and inspections of the affected infrastructure where possible. However, the utility warned that deliberate vandalism and obstruction remain difficult to prevent through maintenance alone. Shabalala said permanently sealing manholes was not considered a practical solution because the structures are essential for inspections, maintenance and emergency responses. “Sealing these structures could result in sewer surcharging and wastewater backing up into residential properties, creating further public health and environmental risks,” she said.

The utility said it would continue working with relevant stakeholders to address the challenges while maintaining essential sanitation services.

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