EMM responds to sewage complaints

A NUMBER of complaints regarding sewage-related complaints have received the necessary attention.

This is also a guide to assist you in the necessary steps on how to obtain a reference number.

BP garage corner Swartkoppies and Potgieter road had sewage problems which was cleared out on Saturday July 19 at around 10:00.

The site manager Arrie Vorster explained that he contacted the CCA Manager channel, and someone from EMM was sent the same afternoon. BP was grateful that they were given the correct number by the RECORD and says that it did work. EMM responded about how it was cleared and why another resident from Brackenhurst had to wait three weeks, but the BP garage incident was sorted out on the same day:

“We receive about a 1 000 blockage complaints per month in our area of responsibility (Alberton, Eden Park, Thokoza and Katlehong) and have increased our response time from 80 per cent to 90 per cent to be within 48 hours within the last six months. 48 hours is the service standard set by the Water Services Department for the reaction to sewer blockages.”

Eden Park sewage issues:

Eddy Smith from Eden Park said that someone had been sent on Wednesday July 16, but that the EMM just opened and checked the manhole in the area. EMM said it was running smoothly, but Eddy explained that it was because of a man from Eden Park who had unblocked the problem area, but sewage still remains a problem.

EMM says: “Blockage at stand 5256 Eden Park extension 5 was reported by Mr Smith by email without an address at first, and when we received the address on July 18 it was opened within hours. The cause of the blockage was rags in the sewer system.”

Brackenhurst sewage issue, Karen Calitz, resident in Boerbok Street.

EMM has attended to the problem before, but there is still a problem. Karen has been battling with this problem for around three years.

EMM: “The sewer at this address usually blocks and overflows because of roots from the trees in front of number 11 to 15 on the sewer line.”

Amanda Nel from Brackenhurst in Christiaan Street:

Amanda Nel was issued reference numbers around three weeks ago, but the sewage that was redirected from their neighbor’s home now runs into their backyard. EMM: “The frequent blockages at number 48 and 50 are caused by roots from the trees on the sewer line.”

What or how is Ekurhuleni in the process of implementing a workable solution?

EMM: “We monitor addresses with frequent blockages, investigate the cause of it and preventative maintenance is done – depending on the availability of resources. We cannot remove every tree near a sewer line, but sweep the line with a jetting truck to remove roots. About 40 per cent of blockages are caused by roots entering the sewer system. The rest are caused by objects that do not belong in the system, but thrown or allowed into the system by consumers.”

BOX please:

Please note the following step by step guide on how to obtain a reference number:

Alberton Water and Sanitation complaints may be reported to the following numbers during office hours:

Monday to Friday 07:00 to 15:30

011 999 2651

011-999-2647

099-999-2646

0860 543 000

After hours

0860 543 000

BOX please

Information required when capturing a complaint:

1. Provide type of complaint (water or sewer);

2. Provide correct address;

3. Provide correct contact details including cellphone number (e-MIS system will automatically send a SMS with reference number for future enquiries).

When our telephones are flooded with calls, it goes to voicemail ,which allows people to leave messages.