Thousands of litres of sewage is spilling into a field in Evander.
According to a resident, Mr Corrie Badenhorst, the sewage spill has been reported to local councillors.
“Everyday I drive past the sewerage station and it looks like this. I have reported this matter to our ward councillors.
“I am concerned that the sewage makes its way to farm lands and our rivers leading to the Vaal Dam,” said Mr Badenhorst.
He said the sewage spill has been ongoing for months.
The sewerage pump station is located on the R546 between Auckland Street and Rotterdam Street.
“The sewage flows like this 24/7,” said Mr Badenhorst, pointing out the sewage when the Ridge Times went to investigate.
“I was told there is no money to fix this problem,” said Mr Badenhorst.
FF Plus councillor, Ms Aranda Nel-Buitendag, said the matter had been brought to the attention of the Govan Mbeki Municipality’s executive mayor, as well as the acting municipal manager.
“I visited the sewerage pump station in Evander. The wastewater is running for the past two months, it was reported several times,” said Ms Nel-Buitendag.
She said this is an environmental disaster and a disgrace for GMM.
“The wastewater is flowing into the streams from the pump station towards the “Swaaltjie Bridge” on its way to the Vaal Dam,” said Ms Nel-Buitendag.
She reported this complaint via the Call Centre as well as to the GMM Region 2 group on July 7.
“Even other councillors reported the same complaint,” said Ms Nel-Buitendag.
She said the Evander community has been complaining for the past two month of the bad smell in the air.
“I even noticed that the palisade fence around the pump station is gone. It was cut off and only the poles remain.
“This is a serious matter and that is why the pump station is vandalised.
“The FF Plus wants to know what action we can expect on this matter,” concluded Ms Nel-Buitendag.
The Ridge Times did not receive a response from GMM’s acting head of communication, Mr Donald Green, nor Mr Lucky Mahlangu at time of going to press.
