Johannesburg Water fixes three month long sewage issue
Bram Fischer Drive business owners are happy that they can finally breathe fresh air again as Johannesburg Water fixed the sewage issue that has been plaguing them for months.
Johannesburg Water (JW) finally put the stop on the three month sewage issue that has been troubling residents and business owners on Bram Fischer Drive.
The sewage has been gurgling up from the manhole, leaving stagnant smelly water on the pavement and at businesses entrances.
Also read: WATCH: Sewage causes frustration for Northgate residents
Nombuso Shabalala, spokesperson for JW, confirmed that the entity has taken action to fix the issue.
She explained that the turnaround time for attending to sewerage blockages and leakages is 24 hours. However, certain factors may come into play that delay the turnaround time.
“For instance, if the team cannot manually clear the manhole due to obstructions like bricks, stones, and other foreign objects found in the system, the resolution may require the use of mechanical equipment such as a jet machine, which could extend the turnaround time to 96 hours. Furthermore, turnaround times can also be affected by resource availability, which is both financial and human, which can be a challenge.”
Read more: Resident concerned about lack of service delivery
Shabalala added that the entity recognises the impact and risks on residents when there are service delivery challenges and backlogs, like sewage leakages and water supply issues, and they are constantly working around the clock to attend to all these challenges, with the limited resources that they have.
Laurance Sclanders, from one of the businesses, said that, so far, it is fixed but he is not sure if it’s totally repaired yet. “The manhole cover is off, and the drainpipe has been half cut, so one can see the water running. The sidewalk has also not been repaired, so I’m wondering if they’re still coming back to finish it off, but thankfully the sewage has stopped.”
He added that the area looks unsightly and dangerous, and the handling of this issue was unprofessional and lengthy from the entity.
Shabalala shares some the main reasons sewerage pipes can become clogged:
• Foreign objects: Items that shouldn’t be flushed into sewerage systems, such as wipes, sanitary products, toys, or other solid materials, can get lodged in pipes, leading to blockages. This is why it is crucial for customers to adhere to by-laws by not misusing the sewerage system, and refrain from disposing of inappropriate and foreign materials.
• Grease and fat build-up: In kitchen drains, the build-up of grease and fat over time can restrict the flow of sewage, leading to blockages.
• Scale and mineral deposits: Over time, minerals and scale can accumulate on the inner walls of pipes, narrowing the pipe diameter and reducing flow.
• Population growth: The population of the City of Johannesburg as a whole has increased so much that the current sewerage network is unable to carry the volume of sewage.
“Preventing these issues involves responsible disposal practices, and adherence to local by-laws and regulations to ensure the efficient operation of sewerage systems. JW constantly raises awareness against the theft, vandalism, and the misuse of the city’s water and sewerage infrastructure through social media and other platforms.”
Follow us on our Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok pages. Join our WhatsApp group for any story ideas you may have.
Related articles: Johannesburg Roads Agency promises to fix a stormwater drain on Bram Fischer Drive
