Dire need for new sanitation infrastructure in Pretoria North following multiple sewage leaks
Last week, learners at Laerskool Voortrekker Eeufees had to navigate pools of raw sewage to get to and from school, a situation that is not only unsanitary but also unsafe.
Pretoria North has been experiencing multiple sewage leaks over the past few months, highlighting the urgent need for new water and sanitation infrastructure in the area.
This is not only a public health concern, but also a matter of environmental law contraventions.
Residents in the area are calling on the Tshwane metro to take swift action to address this issue and ensure that residents have access to safe, clean water and proper sewage treatment facilities.
The ongoing leaks not only pose a risk to the health of the community but also put a strain on the city’s already overburdened infrastructure.
Last week, learners at Laerskool Voortrekker Eeufees had to navigate pools of raw sewage to get to and from school, a situation that is not only unsanitary but also unsafe.
This is a clear violation of the learners’ rights to education and a basic human right to safe and healthy living conditions.
PR councillor Dehan Harmse said sanitation in the area is a serious concern that should be addressed as a matter of priority.
He said that this is not just a problem for ward 2 but for the entire city.
Harmse believes that the city should invest in improving sanitation infrastructure to ensure the health and safety of all residents.
He also highlighted the need for a collaborative approach, involving multiple stakeholders, to solve this issue.
Harmse said the old and brittle infrastructure is one of the main causes of the sewage leaks and pipe bursts, which are a frequent occurrence in Pretoria North.
He also noted that the city’s financial difficulties have made it difficult to replace the ageing infrastructure, and the ongoing strike of municipal workers has further exacerbated the problem.
“Due to the strike, repair teams are understaffed and often unable to access the necessary materials to fix the leaks, causing a backlog of repair work,” he said.
The Tshwane metro has in the new financial year 2023/24 projected income of R1.7-billion for city-wide sanitation.
Metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba said plans are underway for the water and sanitation unit to attend to the sewer blockages.
He said sewer maintenance is conducted regularly including when there are blockages in the system.
Bokaba encouraged residents to stop disposing of foreign materials in the system.
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