City says servitude maintenance is a priority
“The city removes such debris when there is a need.”
A tour of Edenvale’s stormwater servitudes highlighted the dire need for repairs and much-needed attention from the municipality.
The tour aimed to show the municipal staff responsible for waste collection the dangers posed to infrastructure and properties along the length of Edenvale’s stormwater servitude.
This included illegal dumping and the uncontrolled growth of vegetation in the waterway.
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Ward 19 Clr Bill Rundle said the tour was part of the municipality’s and community’s plan to work together to improve Edenvale.
The Ward 19 committee member of the Economic Development and City Planning portfolio, Ald Eddie Taylor, said it also highlighted the growing threat of future destruction that could arise from climate change.
The CoE responded to several questions the Bedfordview and Edenvale News sent in light of the tour.
The CoE said it currently does not have the finances to rehabilitate Edenvale’s stormwater system.
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Explaining why Edenvale’s stormwater system was in such a poor condition, the city identified climate change as the cause.
City spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said ongoing infrastructure maintenance and improvement of the servitude remains a critical component of the city’s objective, permitted if funds are available.
“The city has ongoing maintenance, and Edenvale is part of that,” said Dlamini.
When questioned about what the city is doing to remove the debris, overgrown vegetation and obstructions along the stormwater system through Edenvale and how often they are maintained, Dlamini said as and when the need arises.
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Dlamini said people should not dispose of foreign objects in the system as it would prevent litter and waste from entering the servitudes.
“The system is not meant for that purpose. The city removes such debris when there is a need,” said Dlamini.
The infrastructure is maintained on a rotational basis, during which other wards also receive much-needed attention.
