On June 26, sewage once again flowed through the yard of Mariana Buys, after the blockage was reported as having been repaired a month earlier.
On May 19, Buys reported the first sewage overflow in her yard.
She said sewage was pumping out of the drains outside the kitchen and the bathroom, and subsequently flowed into the street.
“My whole yard was full of sewage,” she added.
The municipal team was sent out the next day and fixed the overflow, but the problem returned on May 27.
“They didn’t come back to clean after the blockage was fixed; this is very unhealthy and it smells terrible,” Buys said.
“There is a school nearby and when the overflow occurs, the kids have to walk around or through the sewage.”
The City Times asked the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) whether this made the overflow a priority.
“Any sewer leak poses a health hazard to the surrounding areas and its inhabitants; hence it is always a priority to resolve it as soon as possible,” said Themba Gadebe, EMM spokesperson.
Since the overflow was fixed the second time, Buys said the problem has recurred three more times.
The EMM was asked why the overflow had returned, but gave a non-specific answer.
“The teams are composed of highly trained personnel in this field, and always apply high standards of repairs,” said Gadebe.
“Sewer effluents collect and accumulate dirt from time to time.”
Buys said the sewage overflow has occurred in her yard since June 26, but that sewage runs down the street often.
She stressed that her yard had not been properly cleaned after the last incident and showed concern regarding the dangers this situation posed.
You might also be interested in:
Sewage problem in Airfield fixed, but not cleaned
