The mattress and gabions recently installed at Oriel Stream were damaged due to heavy rains.
The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) started the upgrade at Oriel Stream on Hope Hughes Avenue in Bedfordview in July to ensure water flow down the stream does not damage the embankments and nearby residential properties.
Due to recent rains, the newly installed mattress and gabions have come undone.
The NEWS reported on July 15 that the city received complaints from residents about the fallen embankments and flooding at the Oriel.
Spokesperson for CoE Themba Gadebe said the metro was working on another project to alleviate the problem upstream.
He also said there is one contractor who was appointed for the installation of the mattress.
Ward 20 Clr Jill Humphreys said due to the recent rains and heavy flow of water, the mattress has lifted and damaged the gabions.
“It was not even a huge storm. The contractors now have to come back and redo the part which has already been done,” said Humphreys.
Humphreys said there are contractors working on the new section up the stream.
She said the whole section is now compromised.
Humphreys said the fault lies with metro and residents due to incessant paving of concrete and tar where rain flows to the lowest point in Bedfordview, which is the Oriel Stream.
“Everyone is at fault, we should not be paving 90 per cent of our properties,” said Humphreys.
She said water is already scarce and aquifers is our last valuable source of water and are not being charged due to paving.
“Water should be going straight into the ground,” said Humphreys.
Humphreys said more money is wasted due to the job not being done efficiently the first time.
She added, however, the contractors working on the new section upstream are doing a proficient job.
Request for comment was sent to CoE on November 13 at 3pm.
Comment was requested by November 15 at 9am.
By the time of going to print no comment was received.
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