The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has responded to concerns about a reported rubble blockage in a large stormwater pipe near Retail Crossing and Christiaan de Wet Road.

JRA Acting Head of Regional Operations Mpho Maruping said the agency was aware of the concerns and had referred the matter to its technical and regional teams for verification against its maintenance and fault-reporting records.

“JRA is aware of the concerns regarding a reported blockage of a large stormwater pipe in the Retail Crossing area,” Maruping said.

Maruping noted that the agency would confirm whether an inspection had taken place and, where an assessment had been conducted, provide the technical findings regarding the obstruction.

• Read the initial article here: Retail Crossing greenbelt water flow affected by overgrown reeds and blocked drains

He said the assessment would establish whether the obstruction comprises rubble, sediment, vegetation or other material and whether there is any structural damage to the pipe.

If the blockage is confirmed to be within JRA’s stormwater infrastructure, Maruping said the appropriate maintenance intervention would be undertaken.

“JRA’s stormwater maintenance activities include the removal of silt, rubble and other obstructions, with mechanical equipment such as jet-vac machinery used where required,” he said.

The status of any outstanding intervention would be confirmed from the relevant work order and regional maintenance team, according to Maruping.

Water flow and infrastructure assessment

JRA was asked whether the reported blockage could be affecting the flow of water towards the greenbelt. Maruping said a blockage could affect the conveyance capacity of a stormwater pipe, but noted that the extent of any impact on flow towards the greenbelt could only be confirmed following a site and infrastructure assessment.

“A blockage within a stormwater pipe can affect the conveyance capacity of the system,” he said. The agency was also asked about reports of overgrown vegetation, a lack of trenching and water pooling in the area.

Maruping said JRA’s assessment would include the relevant stormwater channels, inlets, outlets, culverts and associated infrastructure that fall within its mandate.

“Overgrown vegetation, accumulated sediment or other obstructions can impede stormwater flow and may require maintenance intervention,” he said.

Where a concern relates to infrastructure or services outside JRA’s mandate, Maruping said the matter would be referred to the appropriate City entity.

Sewage contamination reports under review

JRA is verifying reports of two incidents in which sewage was reportedly entering the stormwater system during the past five weeks. Maruping said JRA would check its incident and customer-reporting records to establish whether the two reports had been received.

He said it was important to distinguish between a report of suspected sewage contamination and contamination that had been technically confirmed.

According to Maruping, JRA’s role where sewage is suspected to be entering a stormwater system is to investigate its stormwater infrastructure and coordinate with the responsible municipal service entity where the source is suspected to be a sewer or water-services network.

He said matters involving sewer infrastructure and wastewater networks fall under Johannesburg Water. JRA was also asked whether it had identified additional stormwater discharge points near Christiaan de Wet Road, including those reportedly discharging into the greenbelt.

Maruping said the agency would verify the reported discharge points against its stormwater network and available infrastructure records.

“The presence of water at a stormwater outlet does not, on its own, establish that the discharge is sewage or that it originates from the stormwater network,” he said.

Downstream impact and timeline

Regarding concerns about pollution downstream towards Cypress Road, Maruping said JRA’s assessment would focus on whether its stormwater infrastructure was conveying an abnormal or contaminated flow.

“Establishing that water contains sewage, however, requires confirmation of the source and, where appropriate, water-quality testing,” he said.

Maruping said the appropriate intervention would be determined after the condition of the infrastructure had been confirmed. He said possible work could include cleaning and desilting, as well as the removal of rubble or vegetation.

JRA has not provided specific commencement or completion dates for the work.

“Specific commencement and completion dates should only be provided once the relevant technical assessment, work order and implementation programme have been confirmed by JRA,” Maruping said.