Maud Street sewage problems persist

Residents of Maud and Naomi streets in Florida South have long been suffering the inconvenience of sewage overflowing into their homes, and unfortunately, this situation seems no closer to being resolved.

According to Johannesburg Water (JW) spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala, the entity has been aware of the problem for some time, but is at wits’ end as to how to solve it.

“This problem relates to four properties in Naomi Street, between Maud Street and Albertina Sisulu Road,” says Shabalala. “These properties, on the eastern side of the road, are low-lying due to the natural landscape.

“Although the sewer system functions normally, during medium to hard rainfall weather conditions, infiltration causes the sewer line to flood to just below the manhole covers.”

“The top level of the sewer line then causes the sewage to push back into these four properties since they are lower lying.”

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Shabalala adds that the main cause of the sewage overflowing into these properties is water infiltration into the sewer system, which is exacerbated in rainy conditions.

“Various investigations have been undertaken to determine where this could be emanating from,” she says.

“To reduce the pressure build-up from the upstream section of the pipeline, JW bypassed a manhole using one pipeline that was part of four connecting pipelines into one manhole. This was done to try and reduce sewer being pushed back into the section of the line where these properties are situated.

“This has yielded a positive result to a degree, but not fully. The only conclusion is that the cause of the water infiltration needs to be determined and eliminated.”

The Record reported previously that in the process of the work being conducted, a contractor caused severe damage to a boundary wall of a property across the road, that is now posing a serious danger to pedestrians.

Shabalala has assured residents that JW will assist with repairing the damaged boundary wall.