Metro to probe trench stench in Eersterust
A foul-smelling trench near a primary school in Eersterust has sparked health concerns among residents, who blame a sewage leak for making children sick. The Tshwane metro has promised to investigate after denying prior reports.
The Tshwane metro will investigate the causes of a sewage spillage in Eersterust.
The investigation stems from allegations that the Tshwane metro had conducted maintenance work and, during the course, damaged a sewage pipe, which caused a leak.
The sewage leak was allegedly filling up an open trench and leaking into a local stream, which residents have become concerned about, raising health and safety concerns.
According to resident and environmentalist Benjamin Williams, raw sewage is reportedly pooling in an open trench that was allegedly dug by Tshwane metro teams.
“The sewage drain pipe has burst and is spilling all over the park,” he said, “It seems like the whole drainage system has collapsed.”
According to him, the leak spills into a large trench, which he says has been left open for several months.
He said the trench, located between Kawie Avenue and John Sydney Drive, behind a primary school in Eersterust, has been open for over three months.
“Departmental teams came out to work on the pipe that burst, but unfortunately, they have left it open and made a trench,” he said.
He said the trench is creating a strong odour and has been diverted into a stream, posing a significant health hazard.
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“The sewage gets into the stream that flows from the start of Eersterust until the end and into the Roodeplaat dam,” he said.
Williams further said residents are directly affected by the pollution.
“At times when the heat is severe and the wind is blowing, these things get airborne and dry up, then we inhale,” he said.
He said the pollution poses a health and safety risk to residents.
“The trench is near an early childhood development centre, a primary school and a church. It’s a serious health risk, especially for the children,” he said.
Nicolette Head, Deputy Principal of Fred Magardie Primary School, expressed her concern regarding the stench that comes from the trench, which is only a short distance away from the school.
“The stench is so bad, ever since the trench was left open, children get sick often,” she said.
She said parents have complained about their children getting sick when they come from school, and added that the school has reported the issue to the metro several times, but has not had a response.
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However, the metro says it has not received any reports regarding a sewage spill and denied that its teams created the trench.
Metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba said, “The city did not receive any service request relating to the said sewage spillage.”
“Causes of the spillage can only be established upon completion of the investigation.
“The team will unblock the sewerage blockage and repair any damaged sanitation infrastructure,” he said.
He added that the metro did not know about a trench being dug in the said location.
“Circumstances around this open trench incident can only be known upon conclusion of the investigation,” he said.
Bokaba said as soon as the spillage is cleared, the stream and the surface will be rehabilitated.
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