No solutions after 10 years of blocked sewers

Residents of Bernard Street, Jonkershoek Road and Meg’s Place in Bergbron say they have been struggling with regularly overflowing sewerage drains for more than 10 years, and despite their best efforts – and those of their ward councillor – the problem not only persists but has also worsened significantly.

According to Bernard Street resident and ward committee member Gawie Smit, it has long been known that the blockages emanate from a shopping centre in the vicinity where various restaurants contribute to a build-up of fat in the sewerage system.

“Ten years ago, it would block up maybe three or four times per year,” says Smit. “As more restaurants opened in the area, it gradually became worse, until three years ago when a drain would block at least once or twice a month.

“Now it is a daily occurrence, and Johannesburg Water’s response to this crisis is simply inadequate.”

Smit says that these three roads, along which multiple sewerage manholes are located, are continually plagued by sewage overflows.

“We would log a call and the blockage would be attended to, only for the next drain down the road to start overflowing almost immediately.

“The sewage flows down the road, ending up at the bottom of Bernard Street.”

Smit showed the Roodepoort Record around, pointing out the numerous drains along the road with the signs of recent overflowing still clearly visible in the road, despite the recent rain.

He adds that between Johannesburg Water and the Department of Environmental Health, not even the ward councillor has been able to get to the bottom of who is responsible for dealing with the problem of enforcing the manner in which restaurants dispose of the fat generated, despite workers for Johannesburg Water confirming that the cause of the problem is fat build-up in the pipes.

“One cannot pack any blame on the shopping centres, since it is not their job to enforce the law. This is entirely a failure by the municipal entities involved.

“Johannesburg Water refers me to the Department of Environmental Health and vice versa. No one is willing to take responsibility and come up with a permanent solution.”

The Record has sent questions to Johannesburg Water communications officer Nolwazi Dhlamini and will publish her response once received.