Residents sick of Morninghill stink
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.
Despite Joburg Water’s (JW) promise to address the pollution in the Jukskei River, Morninghill residents remain irate.
The ward 20 councillor, Clr Jill Humphreys, said despite recent rainfall there is no relief and the stink in the Jukskei remains at an all-time high.
She also called on the powers that be to put urgent mitigation in place to relieve residents living in the vicinity of the river from the stench.
In February this year, JW said it was aware of the pollution in the river and was working on a solution.
At the time, JW blamed bad buildings and superimposed sewer systems for polluting the Jukskei stream.
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 Joburg Water in the report.
The company said ageing infrastructure also contributes to the problem.
In the report, the JW outlined the progress on interventions made in addressing the sewer ingress into streams at the Bruma Catchment (Jukskei River) and other areas.
The company has embarked on Capex projects to identify weak spots in the Bruma and CBD sewer network.
The institution has allocated and approved the funding of R10-million in the current (2015/16) financial year.
One resident said, “I close up my entire house after 4pm each day and cannot even consider going outside as I will throw up. I also find it strange that this only happens in the evening, but it is totally disgusting.”
Another Morninghill resident shared the same sentiment, accusing government of not caring for its people.
“I am terrified that my pets and I will one day die from the stench. This is now ridiculous. We pay taxes and buy into expensive suburbs only for municipalities not to play their part,” said the home owner, who did not want to be named.
The JW said once started, 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.
