Illegal connections the cause for sewage spill
“Be that as it may, the water and sanitation and energy departments are jointly working on a long-term solution to resolve the matter.”
It’s taken several weeks but the City of Ekurhuleni has finally responded to the Herald’s queries regarding a large sewage spill in Brenthurst.
It was reported in the Herald’s May 14 edition that raw sewage spills make life unbearable for residents and how those living in the vicinity of Hofmeyer Street are forced to live behind closed doors to escape the putrid smell.
One resident complained he had been attempting to get the sewage issue attended to since before lockdown last year.
According to City spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, the issue is caused by illegal connections done by informal settlement residents next to the pump station.
“The illegal connections need to be disconnected so that the pump station can be properly functional,” he said.
“However, our efforts to deal with the illegal connections have been unsuccessful as the residents implicated tend to be very violent when the City tries to deal with the illegal connections issue.
“Be that as it may, the water and sanitation and energy departments are jointly working on a long-term solution to resolve the matter.
“We sincerely apologise for the current status quo but the matter is receiving our attention.”
In the same article, it was reported how Minnebron residents living near Gert Bezuidenhout Street were experiencing a similar problem.
The cause of this problem was believed to be the illegal dumping of sewage.
An investigation by Stefanie Ueckermann, DA councillor for Ward 105, found there were major sewage spills next to the designated deposit site in the field between Gert Bezuidenhout Street and the R23.
“The site was constructed for permitted vehicles to deposit raw sewage directly into the system through an open manhole enclosed by a fence,” she said at the time.
Ueckermann explained the trucks are supposed to have hoses to deposit the waste into the system.
“It seems that’s not the case as there is raw sewage all over the place, which tells me the trucks are not following proper processes,” she added.
Comment on this matter was requested on May 6, but the City remains mum.
