UPDATE: Joburg Water in sixes and sevens over burst Alex pipe
ALEXANDRA – Johannesburg Water technicians are literally scouring the whole of Alexandra in a bid to find the source said to be responsible for constant sewer bursts in 9th Avenue.
Three days after Alex News published the article, Burst sewer pipe spews human waste, residents of 9th Avenue are continuing to be subjected to filth and stench.
It has been three weeks since sewage from blocked sewerage pipes started spewing its hazardous contents onto the street situated between Sam Buti and Richard Baloyi avenues, blocking the residents from accessing and leaving their homes or having to scale walls and roofs to avoid the waste matter.
A grandmother and grandchild have been allegedly trapped in their room since the human waste started spewing into the road, and this morning, 12 September, a schoolchild was said to have fallen into the filthy water while walking to school.
Another child was allegedly taken to Alex Clinic for treatment after developing a rash linked to the sewage. Other residents are said to be complaining of related ailments.
Street trader Jack Sebati said he has lost out on business as customers, afraid of contracting illnesses from the human waste, only bought non-food items from him. He said sometimes the stench was unbearable and he also was risking his own health.
Local resident, Mary Tshabalala said she reported the matter almost daily, but there was no respite. “Several council teams have come, but seem unable to solve the problem permanently. The sewage spewed out immediately after they left. We appeal to higher level leadership to help us before more people fall sick.” Tshabalala said those affected have to use long routes to go around the sewage and others have also lost household assets after the sewage spilled into their rooms.
Johannesburg Water technicians are at sixes and sevens following ongoing sewerage pipe bursts in Alexandra’s 9th Avenue, between Rev Sam Buti and Richard Baloyi streets, which is spewing human waste into houses and has turned a street into a dam of filth.
Spokesperson for the water utility, Tidimalo Chuene said they have attended to this sewerage problem on several occasions and each time they leave, the pipe continues to burst. “We’re aware of two manholes that have burst and have created a river of sewage in the street. Our technicians responded to the first incident that was reported on 6 September and fixed it the following day.
“But no sooner had they [technicians] left the site, another incident was reported on 9 September and was also fixed the following day. Our team is [now] investigating the source of alien material that is suspected to be responsible for the blockage along this pipeline with the aim of eliminating it.”
Chuene noted the situation was not ideal for humans and “… we accordingly apologise for the inconvenience to affected residents. Customers are urged to all contribute by maintaining our infrastructure and to report any form of vandalism and theft of water infrastructure to 0800 002 587.”
Tell us if you have been affected by posting on our timeline, Alex News or tweet us @AlexNewsZA. Add us on Whatsapp for the latest news by adding 079 4395 345 to your contact list and just send your name to us so we can save your number. Click here to find out more about our Whatsapp policy.
