EMM responds to sewerage & burst pipes complaints
NIGEL - Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) said it discovered that there are several contributing factors responsible for sewer blockages in and around town, and urged residents to take note of the following...
* Increase in Population: EMM has experienced a population growth at a rate of 2.5% over the last 10 years. The problem of population growth is particularly acute in high density townships as there is 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 a widespread 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. This abuse is often confirmed whenever there is a blockage as heaps of sand is retrieved from the system.
* Old Infrastructure: EMM said it is sitting on at least R700 million worth of overdue sewer infrastructure upgrades and replacement. 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 select residents are also 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 causesing sewer blockages. Residents also throw solids and plastics directly into the manholes.
In the way forward, EMM said it continuously anticipates infrastructure upgrades requirements and plans annually. To this end they have identified sewer upgrading and replacement programmes with a total value of R3.5 billion across Ekurhuleni. Priorities have been identified based on the frequency of pipe bursts.
EMM also say it 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 48hrs in terms of our service standards.
Other future plans include the following:
* Disposal of Insoluble Materials: EMM claims that it 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 our second tier approach to curbing the abuse. The media is also encouraged to educate the public about the same.
* Response to sewer blockages: irrespective of the many programmes and projects underway, EMM claims they will commit to respond and resolve any pipe blockages within 48hrs.
To report any blockages or sewerage related problems, call 0860 543 000.
