The stench continues as sewage drowns suburbs
Report as soon as possible, says Johannesburg Water
Sewage is fast becoming a problem in suburbia and residents are wondering if they are being ignored.
In the field next to Agnes Road in Bloubosrand sewage gurgled merrily down the slope into the nearby stream, polluting the water even more.
In Golden Harvest Park in Northwold, grandmother Elvira Dacey was horrified to see her grandchild playing in the park among dried up human waste. “I spoke to one of the park employees.
He told me they had reported it two days earlier and was still waiting for someone to attend to the matter. So it seems this sewerage pipe leaked for three days and no one came to sort it out.”
In Sundowner, it took a call to the Johannesburg Water Randburg depot before anything happened. “I must say they have been very helpful and I’m hoping the problem will be sorted this week,” said residents association chairperson Chester Connelly. The suburb has been living with the stink for weeks as a blocked pipe spilled faecal matter into a residents yard, and then into the nearby river. Resident Naeem Rajah said raw sewage was flowing into a nearby dam, which fed into the Jukskei River. “I fish in that dam. Families walk their dogs in the filthy bog and the water birds are eating the filth,” said an infuriated Rajah.
According to Randparkridge resident Bernice Bronkhorst, a sewerage pipe between the houses and the N1 by Rabie Street was blocked at least three times a year. “The sewage runs down the storm water drain and into the stream which connects to the Jukskei River,” said Bronkhorst. “Last time, sewage ran for three weeks before it was sorted out.”
So what is the problem? “Residents must report the problem immediately,” said Johannesburg Water spokesperson Millicent Kabwe.
“Don’t assume someone else has called because more often than not, it hasn’t happened.”
She also appealed to people to be aware of what was in the toilet before flushing it. “Tennis balls, teddy bears, plastic bags, sanitary pads, and other foreign objects are often the cause of blockages. Only flush toilet paper into the system.”
Kabwe said residents should report the matter on the Johannesburg Water website or by SMS. “No reference number is given on the SMS line, but one will be given almost immediately when reporting via our website. Because of the danger we prioritise these complaints and act as soon as possible.”
Details: SMS 082-653-2143, www.johannesburgwater.co.za/ContactUS or customerserviceemails@jwater.co.za
