HEAVY rains in Durban are largely responsible for a slew of complaints regarding overflowing and blocked sewage drains. Morningside councillor, Ernest Smith, said after dealing with complaints about an overflowing sewage drain outside Livingstone Primary School, he had become aware of a number of additional queries relating to drains across the ward.
Parents of Livingstone Primary School reportedly complained that raw sewage was flowing in drains outside the entrance to the school, and expressed concern about the health of learners at the school.
Lisa Kelly, marketing manager at the school, said the school had contacted both the Health Department and Councillor Smith on a number of occasions, as soon as they had become aware of the situation. She said Smith had visited the school to assess situation and was instrumental in having it fixed.
Smith said he had received a number of complaints regarding drains, following the heavy rains.
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“A few stormwater drains have been partially blocked due to rubbish and building material building up in the drains, however these are usually reported to the municipality by the public and are dealt with quite promptly. At Livingstone Primary, the drain near the substation was blocked with litter and dirt and this was attended to by Roads and Stormwater unit and has been cleared. Thanks go out to the residents who reported this problem,” he said.
Smith said if residents noticed that their streets (municipal land) were in need of grass cutting or tree trimming, if there were faulty or non-functional street lights, and if there was a need for garbage, sweeping or dirt removal or a blocked drain neeeding clearing, they should register with either the ProCitizen or My Morningside Apps which are available on the Play Store.
“Both Apps require you to register with them, and send an email to the municipality on your behalf once the fault it submitted online,” he said.
He said an alternative is to send a picture and the address of the fault to the Water and Sanitation WhatsApp number 073 148 3477. The operator will issue you with a reference number and the fault will be logged. Should the fault be unattended for more than 24 hours, email Councillor Smith on ward27@ethekwini.org.
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