Residents battle sewage hell
The spillage, located on Beit Avenue, is not only affecting local residents but also the nearby 2nd Boksburg Scout's premises.
Residents of Farrar Park and Sky Street are grappling with ongoing sewage spillages that they say are causing significant health concerns and disruptions to the community.
The spillage, located on Beit Avenue, is not only affecting local residents but also the nearby 2nd Boksburg Scout’s premises.
Alun Davies, a resident of the area, expressed frustration over the situation, stating, “We have been logging complaints about this matter and nothing has been resolved.
“The spillage has created an unsanitary environment, raising fears about potential health hazards for families living nearby.”
Francois Coetzee, a resident and the Scout Group leader echoed these concerns, highlighting the impact on their facilities.
“This is affecting the property, and there are cases where sometimes sewage pushes out of the bathroom,” he noted.
Coetzee added that despite multiple complaints logged with local authorities, the issues remain unresolved, with reports being closed without any actual resolution.
“This is causing a serious problem for us,” he lamented.
“The ongoing sewage issue has not only created an unpleasant odour but also poses a significant risk to public health, as residents worry about contamination and the potential spread of diseases.
“We need immediate action from local authorities to address the sewage leak and restore sanitary conditions in the area.”
Also Read: Metro reacts to calls for action on sewage spills
Sky Street
The Boksburg Advertiser visited Sky Street on September 3, where residents showed the publication how blocked drains are causing sewage water to run down the street and their yards.
Residents said the situation is unbearable, and are now pleading with the municipality to investigate and fix the cause of the problem.
According to Johnny Swartz, this situation is a crisis for everyone living on the street.
“I cannot even hang up my laundry because of the sewage running down the yard,” he said.
Swartz said he has been trying to report the issue to the municipality, to no avail.
Daan Ferreira, also a resident, described the situation as chaotic.
“I even put rocks down and helped my father-in-law dig a trench in an attempt to prevent the sewage water from spreading.”
Another affected resident, Wilna van der Walt, said sewage water is a health risk for residents.
Alleta Webber, a resident, said that the stench is at its worst in the evening.
“I hope the municipality can do something about the issue because it’s unbearable.”
Metro responds
City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, confirmed that a team was dispatched to Beit Avenue in Farrar Park, where a blocked manhole on Beit Street was identified as the likely cause of the issue.
“After receiving the enquiry, we dispatched a team to the site again on September 9.
“They discovered another blocked manhole further downstream, which the team addressed,” said Dlamini.
He clarified that there are no sewer pipes near the Blue Sky informal settlement and emphasised that the department can only respond to spillages once they are reported.
“If we identify recurring spillages, we arrange for sweeping of the affected sewer network to minimise reoccurrence.
“We take all complaints seriously and are committed to resolving them within our specified service level standards unless unforeseen challenges arise,” added Dlamini.
Dlamini also noted that any plans or timelines to resolve these issues would be shared as soon as updates are available.
Also read: VIDEO: Shoddy work cited as cause of endless Lilianton sewage spills
