Caseldale sewage crisis nowhere near resolved
However the landowner, Franco D’Arrigo believes that the metro passing the buck.
Casseldale residents are plagued with raw sewage while the City of Ekurhuleni remains at loggerheads with the private land owner.
Raw sewage flowed down Flyer Road for almost a year, and no permanent solution seems available.
“At this point, we do not care who is wrong or right. We want it fixed,” said André van Heerden, a community leader and member of the CPSF (Community Police Sub Forum) Casseldale.
Van Heerden explained that sewage leakage has been an issue for years but has gotten worse recently.
“The sewage is leaking from more and more manholes now. In some parts, it flows into people’s yards, which is disgusting,” he added.
The residents are also concerned that the filthy water may spark a cholera outbreak in the area.
“No one should have to live like this. The sewage also flows into the wetland, negatively affecting the animals,” he said.
Also read: Sewage woes for Springs residents
According to Ward 76 Clr Mike du Toit, the cause of the sewage problems in Casseldale stems from a pump station on private property.
“The servitude to the pump house runs along the pipeline that crosses Fryer Road above the dip in the road. Access to the pump station has usually been obtained through a gate that traverses the private property.
“When the sewerage department approached the landowner for permission to enter the property through the gate, he refused to permit to traverse his property on the grounds of several large unresolved queries he had with the energy department as well as accusations of the sewerage department dumping sewage on his property,” he explained.
Du Toit said he set up several meetings between the parties to find a compromise but found that both were intractable.
“We approached the health department to declare the issue a serious health risk, and the owner refused to budge.
“The matter has been referred to the legal department, which said the city could not use forced entry without a court order as that would constitute trespassing. The city is now seeking a court order,” he added.
However, the landowner, Franco D’Arrigo believes the metro is passing the buck.
“The health department and council have tried their best to make me the villain, but ultimately I am not responsible for how the sewage works and services rendered to the ratepayers,” he said.
D’Arrigo confirmed he denied access to the sewer trucks to discharge sewage on his property.
Also read: Recurring sewage spill threatens Blesbokspruit ecosystem
“They can use their servitude. They violate my property by digging trenches for sewage to flow freely onto my property, which flows freely into the vlei wetland area and pollutes my property with ecological consequences.
“My cattle are dying by drinking and eating the rot. Furthermore, my property gets devalued because they use it as a sewage dump.
“There are solutions to the issue at hand. I have humbly attempted to resolve the issue with the council for more than seven years.
“Countless visits, telephone calls and more than 200 emails (all on record) to no avail or no service, especially from the electrical department. In essence, I have been frustrated for seven years, tried being a good Springsite and accommodating,” he explained.
