It will probably be a long road to remedy the flooding problem on one of the roads in the residential area of Papkuilsfontein.

For many years, residents living along the main road have been battling with high waters every time there is a heavy downpour.

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The road surface is completely flooded, making it impossible for some motorists to pass. The deep pool of water also blocks off some resident’s driveways. Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality had previously assured residents that a solution to halt the flooding would be explored.

After a heavy storm at the end of November, the municipality was again engaged to provide feedback about their progress. A clean-up team was sent to the area and removed heaps of sand and litter, which had blocked the manhole.

Communications Manager Sphelele Zikalala also said that an existing bulk water main pipe belonging to Uthukela District Municipality was posing a challenge. If the local municipality intended replacing the existing pipe, it would require the assistance of the district municipality as their main water pipe lies above the storm water drain pipe.

READ MORE HERE: No long-term solution for road flooding in Papkuilsfontein yet

Responding to this, Uthukela District Municipality’s Communication Manager Jabulani Mkhonza said that the existing storm water pipe is more than adequate to deal with the storm water, provided that proper and regular maintenance as well as cleaning of the drains takes place and residents do not discard litter into the storm water drain.

“Silt and litter causes the blockages to the storm water manholes and pipes; installing a larger diameter pipe will not stop the silt and littering and the storm water manholes and pipes would still get blocked, resulting in flooded intersections,” said Mr Mkhonza.

ALSO SEE: Growing concern over flooded Papkuilsfontein road

“The ‘bulk water mains’ referred to are actually 75mm and 110mm diameter water reticulation pipes. If the local municipality is determined to replace the existing storm water pipe with a larger diameter pipe, they need to inform us when they intend doing the work so that we can work together with them to ensure minimal disruptions to the water supply.”

SEE THIS: Municipality to rethink drainage in Papkuilsfontein

“The reticulation pipes cannot be relocated without incurring huge costs. Ideally, the storm water trench would have to be excavated deeper to accommodate a larger diameter storm water pipe; this is to ensure that the coverage from the top of the storm water pipe to finished road surface is maintained. This would also allow the 75/110mm diameter pipe to cross over the top of the storm water pipe. If the local municipality is unable to do this, we would then have to route our water pipe under the storm water pipe through the utilisation of elbows and bends,” he added.

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