Sewage nightmare turns dam black

Resident Carel van Tonder has taken a stand and said urgent intervention is needed as a sewage dam poses a huge threat.

According to van Tonder, a stormwater pipe at the Dan Tloome Mega Project residence has been leaking sewage for more than four years.

He added, that to fix the problem, the municipality decided to construct a big hole across from the residence where the sewage water could flow into. However, Carel mentioned this was far from a suitable solution since the sewage-filled hole was overflowing and affecting nearby residents.

He also stated when it rains the hole overflows and threatens to contaminate a nearby dam where residents fish.

This dam is also used as a source of borehole water for the surrounding residents. Carel is concerned that the sewage-filled hole will eventually contaminate residents’ drinking water. Carel added he is also the owner of a farm nearby and his livestock drinks water from the dam.

The sewage-filled hole is also polluting the air with a distinguished odour.

Carel explained he attended a meeting in 2021 where the sewage leak was addressed. Furthermore, he also reported the issue on December 21, 2024. He further stated he has since had trouble with reporting the issue to ward councillors.

“Whenever I would ask the ward councillors about the issue they would tell me that they cannot do anything about it because it is a government project. It is the ward councillors’ job to give answers. That is why we elected them. They have to represent the residents,” he said.

“This is very bad planning from the municipality’s side. The sewage-filled hole will not only contaminate the dam nearby, but if that dam is eventually contaminated, the water will flow into a river. This will affect clean drinking water to Potchefstroom. People do not understand the ripple effect this has. It will harm the whole town and even surrounding areas,” he concluded.

Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) was approached for comment where its spokesperson, Phillip Montshiwa, explained that there are constant blockages in sewer systems.

“People sometimes discharge foreign objects into sewer systems such as sanitary pads, oil, grease, etc. As part of the municipality’s operation, we unblock blockages when they are reported. We also have a panel of contractors to assist the municipality with sewer blockages. We advise communities not to put foreign objects in the sewer systems,” he concluded.

In response, ward councillor Alwyn van Tonder said, “I have reported this problem to the municipality and informed the relevant stakeholders of the Dan Tloome Mega Housing Project of the potential environmental disaster that the sewerage flowing into the area could cause.

“This is a problem that has occured from time to time over the last two to three years. It was normally dealt with by the developers but is now the responsibility of the municipality.

“The agricultural smallholdings are dependent on borehole water and we cannot afford that the underground water gets contaminated.

“The Water and Sanitation Department has since assessed the pumping station from where the problem emanates and identified the possible fault causing the spillage into the stormwater system.

“I am continuously following up on the matter and will persist until it is resolved.”