WATCH: Sewage causes a stink in Manor Gardens
Rif Road residents have complained about an overflowing manhole spewing sewage on the road.
MANOR Gardens residents are outraged after a manhole, which has been leaking for months, spewed sewage water into the road this week.
According to Rif Road resident, Ntombi Ntungwa, the situation grew worse by the day. “It wasn’t so bad over the weekend but I think that was because it rained so the rain was flushing the water away.
“We are fed up. Myself and my neighbours have contacted the municipality to get to the root of the problem. Contractors come out and just as we think the problem has finally been sorted out, after a few days it just starts to leak again.
“The contractor was here on Friday and we thought it would be fine but it was still leaking over the weekend and today (Monday) it is stinking,” she said. Ntungwa said it was unfair on residents who “paid a lot for rates and municipal services to have to endure such squalor.”
Another resident who lives close to the manhole said the smell was so unbearable she could could not even open her windows.
“With the school across the road we thought they would not let this happen but school children walking home have to walk through the sewage water which runs across the road. It is a terrible health hazard. Flies are infesting the area. Even after municipal contractors came to try to fix the problem on Friday and again on Monday, when they jet blasted the pipes it seems to be getting worse.
“This is a serious problem and they need to send an engineer to assess the problem and find a proper solution instead sending smaller contractors that come and go without the problem properly solved,” said the resident who had reference numbers dating back to February for complaints about the leak.
Kim Enslin, a resident was livid with the “disgusting stench” and filth on her motorbike’s tyres. “I had to ensure oncoming cars slowed down so they didn’t splash the sewage water on me. This is raw sewage, the white stuff is actually toilet paper, it is disgusting. This is just going to bring flies and illness if it is left,” she said.
Glenridge Pre-primary principal, Rebecca Benwell told Berea Mail the problem was ongoing. “It is a health hazard to our children, staff and parents as well as residents. We have had it reported on numerous occasions and it has been temporarily fixed but nothing permanent. We really hope something is done as soon as possible as it is an unacceptable health hazard,” she said.
No response had been received from the municipality at the time of going to press.
