ELM sewerage lines remain a nuisance in Vereeniging
With the recent rains, the situation has worsened and the drainage system has given in, not being able to take the pressure.
VEREENIGING.- Although the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM), through its Infrastructure Planning Development (IPD) department, said earlier this month that it replaced a gravity sewerage line in the town of Vereeniging, however, the sewerage problems persist.
Last month, the ELM said it had replaced Merriman and Lewis Avenue in Vereeniging and that the two lines connect to a main sewerage pipeline on Union Street. According to the municipality, the mandatory project aimed at improving the reliability of the sewerage reticulation system in Vereeniging started in November 2022. Initially, technicians anticipated completing the remaining pipe installations last month.
Residents, however, have been calling Sedibeng Ster with claims that the sewerage was blocked and sewage was running in their yards with no one to help when they reported the problems to authorities. The ELM blames it on the old and dilapidated sewerage and water system.
Earlier this week a group of residents stormed the offices of ELM’s water utility to demand assistance. A truck that sucks sewerage from the system, known as the ‘honey sucker’, was immediately deployed to Vereeniging, however, the matter continues.
ELM said its water unit, Metsi-a-Lekoa, recently had an operation and maintenance project to replace a collapsed main sewerage line to address sewage spillages in Vereeniging Central and Extension 2. ELM also disclosed that a collapsed pipeline at the corner of Voortrekker Street and Lewis Avenue connects to a part of Union Street.
“The pipe was triumphantly replaced in four weeks. The team has completed backfilling and is now busy with roadworks. Metsi-a-Lekoa is in talks with IPD to synchronise the recommissioning of the sewerage line in Union Street. This is to minimise the inconvenience of consumers serviced by the gravity line,” said ELM’s Chuchi Radebe.
Residents are pleading with ELM for assistance.
“We are sick and tired of the municipality not taking care of us. During the heatwave, we cannot open the doors or windows. We cannot eat, our children are getting sick. Please help us.”
With the recent rains, the situation has worsened and the drainage system has given in, not being able to take the pressure.
