Despite a contract that has been implemented to upgrade the Chris Hani sewer pump station in Mark Street, residents had to be content with the unbearable stench of raw sewage.
Some of the manholes were overflowing with raw sewage and were apparently supposed to have been serviced and upgraded as part of a programme that was implemented about two years ago.
While the Ridge Times was on the scene on 24 February, Mr Peter Mokone, a resident, was walking by in a veld on his way home after his shift at work.
He said the path he uses is a shortcut to his house.
The local taxi association apparently refused that the company that Mr Mokone works for, transports its employees at no cost.
He now has no option but to walk home, because he cannot afford public transport.
The raw sewage is apparently also flowing into the nearby Blesbok Spruit that flows into the Grootdraai Dam in Standerton and eventually into the Vaal Dam.
Many of the residents’ cattle risk contracting serious diseases from drinking the contaminated water.
The once scenic area has now deteriorated into a stinking stream of sewage.
The local Afriforum branch took samples of the water for testing.
The Department of Water and Sanitation came from Mbombela to assess the situation and to compile a report that will be handed over to the municipal manager of the Govan Mbeki Municipality.
Mr Bheki Kubheka, acting head of marketing and communications of the municipality, said the Mark Street sewer pump station has been under refurbishment and it has been operating since.
“The programme of refurbishment will be completed before the end of this week and the pump station will then be commissioned then.
“During the refurbishment, minimum sewer spillages were allowed to the stream with the hope that the stream had raw sewer assimilative capacity.
“Most of the sewer was and is sucked by the municipal suction truck daily from the overflowing manhole in order to allow the contractor to work on the sewer pump station.
“We are hoping that before the end of this week the situation will be normal and the pump station will be up and running after commissioning.”
