Sewage leaks endanger residents’ livelihood in Standerton
"This house was my pension, my elderly parents' medical aid and my livelihood," explained the resident.
Sewage leaks in Johann Street continue to plague residents, flooding their houses and causing damage to their livelihood.
Upon visiting the address, it is clear that the issue has been ongoing for several years.
According to a resident, the sewage leaks started infiltrating their yard early in 2013.
“We have reported the sewage leaks multiple times over the past 12 years, but to no avail,” said the resident.
The resident also explained that an empty house on his property was formerly rented out, but can no longer be inhabited due to damages.
The house appears to be falling apart and has been vandalised in multiple ways since it has been uninhabitable.
Electricity outlets and basic amenities have been stolen out of the house and the roof has started to cave in.
“This house was my pension, my elderly parents’ medical aid and my livelihood,” explained the resident.
The resident has not been able to rent out the house for seven years, costing him about R45 000 a year in rent.
According to councillor Alberto Franco of the DA, waste disposal lines were installed in December of 2024 not even 20m from the houses in question, however, they were never connected to the main line.
“These houses are off the grid and have no effective way of disposing of wastewater,” explained Franco.
This has led them to lay their pipes to attempt to dispose of sewage.
Franco said no emergency backflow was installed, causing the yard to be flooded every time the manholes overflow.
Furthermore, the terrain where new lines were installed was not cleaned up after the work was completed. The access roads to the houses are nearly inaccessible.
“I have suffered severe damage to my vehicle due to the inaccessibility of the road,” explained the resident.
Though residents have reported the issue multiple times, no effort has been made to connect these houses to the main line.
Their next step is to report the matter to the Human Rights Commission. The SAHRC is familiar with Standerton’s pollution issues.
Lekwa Municipality did not respond at the time of going to press.
