Govan Mbeki Municipality fails to maintain R1 mil sewer pump station
Even security personnel who are safeguarding the property are concerned about their health because they are exposed to the unhealthy environment daily.
Ext 22 residents of eMbalenhle are fed up with sewage spills that flow into their yards due to a non-functioning sewer pump station that is supposed to pump sewage to the water treatment works.
A multi-million rand pump station that was built by Sasol through the Ikusasa project six years ago for Govan Mbeki Municipality is neglected.
When Ridge Times visited the pump station, it was in state disarray.
The pump station is filled with water and sewage, and exposed electricity cables to the guardhouse also pose an electrocution risk to security personnel who guard the property.
Residents told the Ridge Times they are getting tired of repeatedly reporting the pump station problems to the municipality.
“Our municipality should do something¸ because the sewage is now flowing back into our houses.
“We have noticed that our kids are suffering from diseases such as diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever,” said Nozuko Matsitsi.
Residents want the municipality to fix the pump station or demolish it, because it is not helping to eradicate the spills. Rather, it deepens their problems.
Even security personnel who are safeguarding the property are concerned about their health because they are daily exposed to an unhealthy environment.
Gugu Mahlangu who resides next to the pump station said she is tired of spills in her yard.
Mahlangu said when the sewer is overflowing inside the pump station, it spreads to all the houses adjacent to it.
Lucky Mhlongo, Govan Mbeki Municipality’s acting head of communications, said the municipality is aware of the situation.
According to Mhlongo, the water and sewerage department is attending to the problem and they are experiencing water challenges to access the facility.
“Due to the heavy rain in recent weeks, water covers the whole pump station and electrical components were damaged which led to the pump station not to function.
“Our team will bring in a mobile pump station that will pump the water out and will stop the sewage from flowing back to our community,” said Mhlongo.
