Flooding – an ongoing issue

Before the widespread effect of the November 9 floods, another business had already felt the effects of heavy rainfall when the property was flooded.
Ms Gillian Peel, the property owner, said the business on Flemming Road in the Meadowdale area were flooded about two weeks ago and that it has been an ongoing issue.
“We have had issues with water and flooding for a number of years, since 2009,” said Ms Peel.
She said the water and mud flowed down the street and into the business premises in the area.
Ms Peel believes there is a lack of adequate infrastructure in the area, which has led to the flooding.
“The area is meant to have the infrastructure and the facilities but it is either broken or can’t cope with all businesses in the area,” said Ms Peel.
Ms Peel said that during the previous floods in 2009, there was approximately R6-million worth of damage as a result of the water.
She said every time the flooding occurs at the business there is mud and water on the property that the business has to clean up. Sometimes electricians have to come in to repair the damage done by the water.
“It can sometimes cost thousands of Rands,” said Ms Peel.
According to Ms Peel she has obtained surveys and proposals done by professors and experts in connection to stormwater and put them forward to council.
The flooding and mud produced by the heavy rains not only affected local businesses but also impacted on traffic in the surrounding area.
On Brickfield Road, a large amount of mud was deposited on the road, forcing many motorists to turn around and use alternative routes.
Ms Peel described it as a mudslide.
She said the sand which was on the road came from sites where construction was meant to be taking place.
A recycler walking through the mud with his load said the mud made his job more difficult.
The NEWS requested comment from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. No comment has been received.

Watch vehicles on Brickfield road having to drive through mud: