Stink up at Niven Road

Residents from different areas of North Riding and Douglasdale, have complained about a putrid smell rising from the river and surrounding areas.

It seems that a sewer-line, which runs across the lower bridge at Niven Road, has been damaged.

Concerned resident of North Riding Jon Saunders commented on the stinky situation, ”There is an absolutely revolting smell coming from the river that flows past our complex. We have appealed for months for something to be done about this, as I am concerned that there may be a sewage leak into the river that flows past Derby Drive.”

Ward 115 councillor Chris Santana commented, ”There has been damage to the sewer line. Apparently, the relevant entities have made a temporary

fix, I have been told that they are attending to the problem.”

The Niven Road spill connects to the bridge on Hornbill Road that flows past complexes along the road.

Another disgusted resident of Douglasdale, who lives on Hornbill Road adjacent to Niven Road, Anele Mbuyazi said, ”I cannot open my windows during the day because of the smell that gets inside the house and makes everyone feel sick. It gets worse when it rains, the smell carries even worse.”

Eleanor Mavimbela, external communications officer for marketing and communications for Joburg Water [https://www.johannesburgwater.co.za/] commented, ”Our sewer line across the low bridge at Niven Road, Douglasdale was damaged. We have already made a temporary arrangement to contain the spillage and we anticipate that the final completion of the major repair could be realised in the next week. This would probably be the cause of the smell.” .

Details: Chris Santana, csantana@ward115.co.za or

Joburg Water, www.johannesburgwater.co.za