Residents of Quail and Watson Streets are up in arms over the unresolved leakage at the Helderkruin sewerage pump station, which has been an on again, off again occurrence for the past three years.

According to resident Cornè Weideman, the pump station has been spilling raw sewage for weeks despite numerous calls logged with Johannesburg Water (JW).

“We regularly see JW contractors stopping here to clear the system, but we are tired of these temporary measures.

“It only lasts for a few days before the sewage starts spilling over onto the street again.”

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At the Roodepoort Record’s visit to the site, the stench of sewage hung heavily in the air even despite the stiff breeze.

A stream of sewage was winding its way down the steep Quail West Street, with the signs of road erosion already clear.

Another resident, Margie Jones, who lives opposite the pump station, says the problems at the pump station have persisted for around three years.

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JW spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala has acknowledged that JW is aware of the ongoing problems at the pump station.

“The problem persists due to ageing infrastructure and equipment that has reached the end of its useful life.

“The pumps are susceptible to frequent breakdowns, and the repairs requires specialised spares which are not readily available in Johannesburg water storages,” she says.

Shabalala adds that a planning for a permanent solution to the ongoing sewage leak is underway.

“This will require a complete rehabilitation and upgrade of the Helderkruin sewerage pump station.

“The project is currently at the initiation stage and will provide a long-term solution by replacing and upgrading ageing infrastructure.

“Plans are in place to address the challenges at the pump station. In the short term, repairs are underway and are anticipated to be completed in July, while vacuum trucks continue to provide interim support.”

Nombuso declines to provide a timeline for said infrastructure upgrade.

In the meanwhile, a complaint against JW has been formally laid by concerned residents with the City of Johannesburg’s ombudsman.