On Monday afternoon, sewage diluted with rainwater streamed out of some yard in Gars Street and flowed downhill towards the Wonderfonteinspruit. Numerous residents complained about the issue on social media and the Herald took the matter up with the Merafong City Local Municipality.
“The municipality is facing storm water infiltration in the sewer system. Some residents dispose of rain or storm water into the sewer system, causing an overload that results in sewer spillages. The sewerage cannot handle such high volumes. The community is once more requested to refrain from directing storm water to the sewer system within their yards. The theft of manhole covers also contributes to the storm water infiltration due to slightly opened manholes,” the municipal spokesperson said.
The Herald asked the spokesperson what chemicals or cleaning liquids residents could use in outside drains that link to the municipal storm water and sewer systems to disinfect and remove odours. As many people with swimming pools are now emptying them before the winter, the Herald also asked how this surplus water could be dis- posed of legally.
“Residents can use bleach, chlorine powder or granules or chloride of lime to eradicate spillage odour.
“ It is illegal to dispose of swimming pool water into the sewer system. Swimming pools can be emptied into a storm water drain,” the spokesperson said.
