Bad buildings and superimposed sewer systems are to blame for the polluting of the Jukskei stream.
This according to a feedback report compiled by Joburg Water (JW) for the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).
The report outlines the progress on interventions made by the JW in addressing the sewer ingress into streams at the Bruma Catchment (Jukskei River) and other areas.
According to the report, the sewer network in the CBD and surrounding areas, including Berea, Yeoville, Braamfontein, Hillbrow, Troyeville, Kensington and Bezuidenhout Valley, is largely characterised by superimposed sewer and storm water systems.
The report states that the two systems are incorporated in the same trench with sewer pipes installed directly underneath the floor of the storm water channel and are interlinked by sewer boxes.
“These boxes are to enable access to the sewer system via a manhole chamber through the storm water system. When the lids of these boxes become dislodged or are forcibly removed or vandalised, the two systems become one and the sewer blocks and spills over into the storm water system,” said the JW in the report.
Apart from the sewer box problems, JW said ageing infrastructure also contributes to the problem.
“To this end, the JW has embarked on a few Capex projects to identify weak spots in the Bruma and CBD sewer network,” said the report.
The institution has allocated and approved the funding of R10-million in the current (2015/16) financial year.
“The work will also include open ups to repair collapsed sections between manholes where the entire section is deemed to be problematic. The project will be carried out over a three year period, after which the entire superimposed system should have been covered,” read the report.
A consultant and contractor will be appointed to start implementing recommendations of the 2011/12 CCTV surveillance of the upper Jukskei catchment.
As far as operations are concerned, the JW is continuing with maintenance action within the Bruma catchment to reduce sewer pollution down the Jukskei River.
According to the report, the JW is in the process of procuring a contract to supply and replace box covers to fast-track the replacement of 50 manhole covers between the sewer system and the storm water system.
