Sewer problems annoy residents

Some residents of Lakefield Extension 21 are annoyed by the constant sewer problem they face.

Sewage flows into the backyard of a home in Lakefield Extension 21. The resident said the problem has been ongoing for several years.

“We have had a sewer problem for about 10 years,” said one resident, who wished to remain anonymous.

“We have been living here for 40 years and we have a flow of sewage into our back yard at least once every three months.”

Another resident on, the same street, said he has had the problem since he moved in.

“We moved in about four years ago,” said Sameer Cassim.

“We have reported the issue every time it happened.

“Currently, the problem has been here for two weeks and we constantly complain to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM).”

According to Cassim, the EMM has only temporarily fixed the problem.

A petition about the constant problem was handed to the metro last year, by former councillor Mary Goby.

A conclusion was reached by the EMM on November 30, 2015, stating that the sewer problems were caused by an old Benoni sewer pump station and old pumping main.

The pump station back-flows when it overflows, resulting in the sewer problems.

The City Times has seen a report from an official at the department of water and sanitation stating that a budget of R17-million during the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 financial years was allocated for the repair of these pumps.

“It is so embarrassing when we have guests over and all their wastage doesn’t go through the drain, and then we need to explain to them about the sewer problem,” said the anonymous resident.

According to residents, the plan to construct a new sewer has not begun; therefore their sewer problem is still ongoing.

Ward 28’s Clr Malanie Haggard said she visited the premises of one of the homes on September 18 and elevated the problem the very next day.

“I spoke to the EMM and it was agreed that the problem would be fixed,” Haggard added.

The City Times contacted the EMM for a response about when the plan to construct a new sewer would be implemented, but no reply had been received at the time of going to print.