Dealing with burst pipes in Ekurhuleni
These factors are responsible for blocked sewage pipes in Ekurhuleni.
The metro has discovered that several factors are responsible for sewer blockages in Ekurhuleni, including the following:
- Increase in population:
The metro has been experiencing population growth at a rate of 2.5 per cent over the last 10 years.
The population growth problem is particularly acute in high density townships, as there are always some backyard households not ordinarily accommodated in the design of the sewer infrastructure.
This results in massive pressure on the sewer system.
- Disposal of insoluble materials:
There is rampant disposal of solids and plastics in the drainage system.
Sewer blockages are caused by items such as cotton wool, rags, spoons, newspapers, clothing and sand used for scouring, that are trapped in the system.
This abuse of the system triggers blockages and is often confirmed when there is a blockage, as heaps of sand are retrieved from the system.
- Old infrastructure:
The metro is sitting on at least R700-million worth of overdue sewer infrastructure upgrades and replacements.
The implication of having such a huge backlog is that infrastructure that has outlived its usefulness continues to render service, notwithstanding the poor service arising from the use of such infrastructure.
- Vandalism of the system:
A few residents are in the habit of stealing manhole covers for recycling and generally vandalising the infrastructure.
With the stealing of manhole covers solids fall into the sewer, which causes sewer blockages.
Residents also throw solids and plastics directly into the manholes.
What we as a community can do to prevent blocked sewerage pipes:
- Decrease in pollution:
The metro continuously anticipates all infrastructure upgrade requirements and updates infrastructure plans annually.
To this end, it has identified sewer upgrading and replacement programmes with a total value of R3.5-billion.
Priorities have been identified based on the frequency of pipe bursts.
The metro is actively finalising a grand programme to address all immediate and medium term infrastructure upgrading and replacement backlogs.
Notwithstanding this mega programme, all blockages will be attended to within 48 hours in terms of service standards.
- Disposing of insoluble materials:
The metro continues to engage communities through various mediums in order to educate the public about the correct use of sewer infrastructure.
In addition, by-laws are in place and are continually enforced as part of the metro’s second-tier approach to curbing the abuse.
- Respond to sewer blockages:
Irrespective of the many programmes and projects underway, the metro commits to respond and to resolve any pipe blockages.
Accordingly, therefore, the public is encouraged to report all incidents through the call centre, by calling 086 054 3000.
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