Metro working towards lasting solution to sewer collapse

The Tshwane metro has confirmed that it is addressing the recurring sewer overflow at the entrance to Pretoria North.

The sewer challenge has continued to disrupt daily life for residents and motorists utilising the roadway.

The challenge is being caused by a collapsed sewer pipe beneath Rachel de Beer Street, one of the main access points into the area, where the overflow has led to hazardous road conditions and growing frustration within the community.

Spokesperson Lindela Mashigo explained that the metro’s technical team is conducting detailed investigations to identify the most effective and lasting solution.

Due to the difficult access to the damaged sewer pipe, this process is expected to take some time.

However, Mashigo emphasised that ensuring a permanent repair is critical to preventing future collapses and overflows.

The sewer overflow has been a source of growing frustration for residents, who have been battling with deteriorating road conditions and safety hazards for months.

The situation has been made worse by repeated repair attempts that have failed to resolve the root cause of the problem.

This has led to an environment of mistrust and impatience, with many community members feeling neglected by the city’s infrastructure maintenance efforts.

“We understand the inconvenience and disruption this has caused for both residents and motorists, and we want to assure you that resolving this matter is a priority,” said Mashigo.

“Due to access constraints in the affected area, our technical team is carrying out thorough investigations to determine the most effective and lasting solution.”

He said while this process may take some time, it is essential to ensure that the intervention will prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.

“In the meantime, for everyone’s safety, road barriers and warning signage have been placed to alert motorists of the hazardous conditions ahead.

“We kindly urge all road users to reduce speed, remain vigilant, and follow all safety signage when approaching the affected area.”

The problem goes back several months to when the initial sewer pipe collapse forced the metro to undertake emergency repairs beneath the road’s surface.

Despite those efforts, the pipe collapsed again, leading to further damage and the exposure of the unstable sewer infrastructure.

Following two previous repair attempts, the metro had to resort to digging beneath a side wall near Rachel de Beer Street to access the damaged section.

Residents like Marionette Pretorius have been vocal about their frustration, expressing deep disappointment over the prolonged state of disrepair.

Other residents reported dangerous potholes, pooling water from the sewer overflow, and damaged vehicles as common occurrences.

The deteriorating road surface has turned parts of Rachel de Beer Street into what some describe as a dirt road, making daily commutes hazardous.

The metro urged all road users to reduce speed, stay vigilant, and observe safety signage while approaching the site.

Despite these measures, residents remain concerned about the delays and the risk posed by the damaged infrastructure.

Ward 2 councillor Quentin Meyer has acknowledged the severity of the issue and is actively advocating for accelerated repairs and proper road restoration.

“We understand the hardship this is causing our community. We continue to engage with the metro to ensure this repair is done thoroughly and that the road is fully restored as soon as possible,” said Meyer.

Mokgadi Supe, Director of Region 1’s Wastewater Collection and Water Distribution, confirmed that the pipe beneath the road had collapsed multiple times, prompting the repeated interventions.

“The location and depth of the sewer infrastructure in that area make repairs extremely challenging,” said Supe.

She also noted that full restoration of the road surface would follow once the current excavation and pipe replacement are completed.

“The recurring sewer collapse at the entrance of Pretoria North from Rachel De Beer Street has been attended to on three occasions previously. However, every time after the repairs, a new damaged area occurred.

“The sewer blockage has been on account of a damaged pipe, mainly due to infrastructure age.”

Supe said that due to access constraints, the technical team has been limited to spot repairs on the leaking or damaged section.

“In conducting the repairs, the technical team had to be conscious of damage limitation to the sewer pipe because one section of the pipe has been boxed with concrete to protect the pipe from traffic load since the pipe runs across the main road.

“Consequently, the side of the pipe [which is] boxed with concrete is not accessible for adequate joint connection. This is because the pipe is made up of clay material, which tends to result in the pipe cracking while exposed to pounding pressure as the team attempts to break the concrete.”

Supe mentioned that the other side of the pipe comes from underneath the retail wall on the side of the road.

“As a result, there is an access challenge which limits the team’s ability to conduct replacement of extended lengths of the aged pipe, bearing safety considerations.

“The damaged pipe has been referred to the capex project for pipe replacement.”

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