Illegal dumping continues to be the leading cause of stormwater system blockages in the City of Ekurhuleni.
The MMC for Transport Planning, Roads and Stormwater, Andile Mngwevu, said this during the launch of the city’s stormwater system cleaning programme last week.
“We encourage our communities to desist from dumping foreign objects into our stormwater system because the result is unnecessary blockages, which ultimately leads to flooding,” he said.
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Additionally, he stated that vehicle tyres, animal bones and skins, plastic bags and logs were among the objects that were removed from the blocked drains.
“When these drains are blocked, water seeps into the road affecting its surface. That is why we have unending portholes and constant damaged roads.
“It also makes the streams smell which affects the people,” he said.
Mngwevu stated that residents need to play a role in preventing blockages of stormwater drainage systems.
“The city will be intensifying cleaning stormwater systems in preparation for the rainy season,” he said.