Sewage crisis in Centurion intensified by misuse of sewer system – Tshwane

The Tshwane metro has linked ongoing sewage leaks and bursts in Centurion to illegal connections and misuse of the sewer system, which have caused blockages and overflows across the area.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo explained that residents’ actions contribute significantly to frequent leaks and bursts.

“Community members throwing foreign objects into the sewer lines and connecting gutters to the system are some of the main contributors to the crisis,” he said.

Mashigo outlined the metro’s efforts to address the crisis.

He said maintenance teams inspect the network daily and respond to reported incidents.

“Residents are encouraged to report sewer blockages by calling the municipality on 012 358 9999, after which teams are dispatched to resolve the issue,” he said.

Mashigo added that long-term solutions, such as upgrading Centurion’s sewer system, would be addressed during the upcoming Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and budget consultation process with communities.

“The importance of upgrading the sewer infrastructure will be discussed through this process.”

He added that the metro plans to prevent and address illegal connections to sewer lines through education and awareness campaigns.

“We are committed to conducting education and awareness campaigns to inform residents about the dangers of throwing foreign objects into the sewer system and other actions that strain the system.”

The metro’s feedback comes as frustration continues to mount among Centurion residents, who have been dealing with the worsening sewage crisis for weeks.

The situation has created serious health hazards, environmental concerns, and widespread disruption to daily life.

Ward 69 Councillor Cindy Billson recently highlighted the alarming frequency of sewage-related incidents in Centurion.

She said the issue stems largely from ageing infrastructure that needs to be properly maintained or replaced.

She noted that plans to replace sewer lines were proposed as far back as 2016, but delays and budgetary hiccups have stalled progress.

“It should have happened already, but there was a hiccup somewhere. My issue is mainly the reaction time of the city on this and especially the cleanup,” she said.

Adding to the problem, Billson explained that there are illegal connections to sewer lines that exacerbate blockages, particularly during heavy rainfall.

She referred to multiple incidents across Centurion, including ongoing sewage leaks on the corner of Shirley and Frederik Streets and at Hyde and Janet Streets.

“In one complex with 34 units, residents were forced to endure sewage spills in close proximity to their homes.

“There is a lady who stays at this complex that has a baby younger than six months old, and this is a serious health concern,” Billson said.

Other areas, including Olievenhoutbosch, are also suffering.

Billson described conditions in Olievenhoutbosch as particularly dire.

“The conditions in Olievenhoutbosch are extremely bad.”

Residents from affected areas also shared their frustrations, describing how the crisis has impacted their lives.

In Eldoraigne Ext 3, resident Brian Williams reported a sewage spill near his neighbour’s property on Willem Road to the municipality on January 7.

After escalating the complaint to the ward councillor, the blockage was eventually cleared three weeks later, but the cleanup of the resulting sludge was left undone.

“The spill created two huge dams, and now with the dry weather, the dams have dried up and left a 3- to 5-centimetre layer of raw sewage sludge on the pavement,” Williams said.

He added that the foul smell persists, making daily life unbearable.

At Flaho Complex on Cradock Avenue, resident Le-Toyah Jensen detailed her frustrations after a sewer pipe burst in the complex on January 19.

She said inspectors initially responded, but halted their work while awaiting additional approvals, leaving the issue unresolved for days.

“It wasn’t until January 27 that the metro began addressing the burst pipe.”

“This has been a stressing issue because we are directly affected,” Jensen said.

She explained how the sewage spill has disrupted daily life, her children and pets exposed to toxic waste.

“My pets are dirtying the inside of the house because they can’t run outside in the sewage.

“My son, who is 11 years old, had to mop the floors because the animals have been tracking sewage water inside,” Jensen added.

In Olievenhoutbosch Ext 36, resident Thabang Makhubu described the dire conditions caused by a sewage overflow in his community.

“The sewage was flowing into the streets, and the smell was unbearable,” Makhubu said.

While metro teams eventually fixed the issue, Makhubu criticised its slow response, which left community members exposed to unsanitary and hazardous conditions for an extended period.

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