Johannesburg Water has confirmed it is attending to a sewage spillage flowing into the Klein Jukskei River, with repairs expected to take several days.

Spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala said a blockage below the N1 highway, which forms the boundary between two Johannesburg Water regions, caused the spillage.

“The delays were due to the sewer flowing from one region into another region,” Shabalala said. “However, a Johannesburg Water team is currently focusing on repairing the broken bulk pipeline.”

Read more: Months long water leak frustrates Ferndale residents

Once repairs are complete, the entity’s environmental department will test the water.

“Depending on the test results, Johannesburg Water will respond accordingly about cleaning and restoring the river after the sewage spill is stopped,” Shabalala said, adding that progress updates would be issued through its communication department.

Community affected by river pollution

Fontainebleau residents near the Klein Jukskei River have raised concerns over the pollution, which has caused wildlife deaths and a severe odour.

The untreated sewage has turned sections of the river into a contaminated waterway, with fish and other aquatic animals found dead along the banks. The pollution has also affected other wildlife that depends on the river for food and water.

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Resident Johan Bekker said the foul odour began months ago and progressively worsened, accompanied by dead fish floating downstream.

“We are suffering from this very bad odour,” Bekker said. “Our bedroom is a mere 5m from the polluted river. This problem worsened over time, as it seems there are more spillages than natural ones coming down the river.”

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