Stench in Edenvale traced to Isando business

The cause of the stench which permeated through Edenvale in recent months was traced to a business in Isando.

According to Ward 18 Ald Heather Hart, a blocked sewerage pipe caused the stench.

A business, which is involved in food production, is legally connected via a metered line to discharge liquid byproduct waste material.

Hart said the blockage in the municipal sewerage line caused the system to overflow on February 3.

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“The waste, a combination of water, gums and oil, then entered the stormwater line, which runs into Harmelia Spruit and then the Eastleigh Spruit.”

She said the business followed all of the correct protocols.

“When the overflow was noticed, the business contracted a spill management team who contacted the City of Ekurhuleni and the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.

“This was done to advise the municipality and department of the spill and get the necessary permissions to put the necessary plan of recovery and cleaning into action,” said Hart.

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Hart said contractors discovered that the sewer line was broken.

“I find it extremely strange that the pipe was broken. The pipes, which are made from clay, should be able to withstand almost all chemicals.

“They are virtually indestructible. Where the pipes are located, no heavy vehicles travel and almost no chemicals can corrode them,” said Hart.

She said that it was during the contractor’s investigations and replacement of the line in the middle of March that a second blockage was discovered.

“Although we are not out of the woods yet, the situation is better.”

Regarding the pungent odours, Hart explained that as the clean-up and spill management teams were clearing the lines, they were jet blasting and washing the system.

At Horwoods’s Farm at the end of March, the stench emitted by the river had subsided while the water had also cleared.

Several sacred Ibis could be seen on the river bank while an Egyptian Geese and several of its goslings were seen swimming in the water.

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Discussing what will need to be done to clear the sewerage line of the second blockage, Hart said industrial high-pressure jet blasting will most likely be needed to do this.

She said on March 20, the line was jet blasted and reportedly some soil was cleared.

Hart believes this could be one of the reasons for the subsidence in smell and the improvement in the water’s clarity.

She said because some of the line is cleared, sewage and wastewater could be running freely albeit slowly through the line, no longer overflowing into the river system.

“If the continued jet blasting does not work, the team will need to excavate a trench to the affected pipes and resolve it in person.”

Hart said if excavations are required, then increased safety measures will be needed, such as proper equipment for employees and the shoring up of the trench.

Multiple requests for comment were sent to the City of Ekurhuleni about this matter. The most recent request was sent on March 19, requesting comment by March 20.

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