Herman Street floods twice

On the afternoon of January 17, motorists were left stranded following a 30-minute severe storm, flooding large sections of Herman Street.

ALSO READ: Unrepaired infrastructure a growing concern

The same happened on January 19 at around 08:00.

The knock-on effect of the excess water from Tunney and Meadowdale meant the Buurendaal attenuation dam overflowed and homes in Buurendaal were flooded.

In December, the NEWS raised concerns over severe water drainage problems on Herman Street between Meadowdale and Harmelia and pointed out that in heavy rains it takes less than 10 minutes for the intersection of Herman and Kruin streets to flood, rendering the road nearly impassable.

It takes even less time for large sections of Herman Street between Brickfield Road and Kruin Street in Harmelia to flood.

The NEWS warned that the intersections on Herman Street pose a serious risk for flash floods.

On January 18, the NEWS conducted a visit to the areas on Herman Street which have proven to be problematic and found that stormwater drains along Herman Street are only situated on one side of the road, closest to businesses. But water gathers at numerous points on the opposite side of the road that do not have any stormwater drainage.

Large sections of the road also showed signs of distress following the heavy rains on January 17, including the intersections between Herman Street and Brickfield Road.

In 2017, the City of Ekurhuleni undertook a project to improve stormwater infrastructure and reduce flooding on Herman Street, as well as Brickfield Road.

Ward 92 councillor at the time, Tiziana Plaskitt, said during the project, old stormwater pipes were replaced with larger ones.

“The new pipes will improve safety during the rainy season and reduce erosion,” said Plaskitt.

The project was completed in 2018.

ALSO READ: Canal damaged further by heavy rains

On January 18, the NEWS was joined by newly elected Ward 92 councillor Kade Guerreiro, and the damage to the relatively new stormwater infrastructure at the intersection was evident. Rubble, including bricks and household refuse, lay strewn across the intersection from the previous day’s rains when it was pushed out of the stormwater drain.

Guerreiro pointed out that illegal dumping into the stormwater systems was problematic. He said previously he had met with the MMC responsible and he requested quarterly clean-up of all stormwater drains in the area.

“The force of the water flowing from Meadowdale to Highway Gardens and Buurendal was so great that it washed away a portion of the water pipeline to Highway Gardens, leaving residents without water,” he said.

Guerreiro said most of his ward suffered damage following the January 17 rains.

“Water flowed through Sizwe Secondary School and many homes in Elandsfontein flooded.”

In December, when the NEWS asked whether there were plans to upgrade the stormwater infrastructure at the problematic intersections on Herman Street, Guerreiro said the department was aware of the many issues around the sewage and stormwater systems in Ekurhuleni. He added he planned to ensure a budget is allocated to upgrades and maintenance moving forward.

Spokesperson for the City of Ekurhuleni Zweli Dlamini confirmed to the NEWS the last time the drains along Herman Street were cleared was more than a year ago and that there was a maintenance plan in place, which should see the channels cleared twice a year. Commenting on whether there were plans to upgrade the stormwater infrastructure at the intersection, Dlamini said the issue must be placed on the IDP priority list.

The NEWS sent another enquiry to the City of Ekurhuleni on January 19 and comment was requested by January 21.

At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.

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