High Road resident in Edenvale concerned about leaking sewage
"When the manhole does leak the stench inside the house becomes unpleasant."
Concerns over sanitation and health have been raised by Mr Alan Southwood after sewage began to leak from a manhole on High Road in Edenvale.
Also read: EMM fixes manhole
Mr Southwood, who is the manager of a business at the corner of High and North roads, said the problem of sewage overflowing the manhole is not a new concern.
He said sewage has been leaking from the manhole on and off for the past year.
“When I report the leak, the municipality does come out and attend to it,” said Mr Southwood.
Following the heavy rains on March 2, sewage began to leak yet again.
Also read: Open manhole raises concern
After calling the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality to report the leak, the municipality came out on March 3 and attended to the leak.
Mr Southwood said the municipality pushed pipes through the sewerage network which seemed to stop the leak for a few days.
Despite this Mr Southwood said the sewage began to overflow again in a few days.
When the NEWS met with Mrs Southwood on March 6, the sewage was flowing into the stormwater network.
“When it rains it becomes particularly bad,” said Mr Southwood.
He said the sewage is washed into the business property and on occasion has gone onto the premises.
To prevent the sewage from flowing into the building Mr Southwood said the company put sandbags at the front door.
“When the manhole does leak the stench inside the house becomes unpleasant,” said Mr Southwood.
Because of the raw sewerage Mr Southwood said health has become a concern.
He said the smell attracts flies and the moisture attracts mosquitoes.
A request for comment was sent to EMM’s Department of Communications, with a request for comment by March 9.
The NEWS asked the municipality what had been done in the past to rectify the matter and what will be done in the future to prevent further sewage overflows.
At the time of going to print no comment had been received.
