Population expansion blamed for persistent sewage flow in Aeroparque Street
Residents said the issues have been ongoing for ten years and have gradually become worse.
Officials from the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) have attributed persistent sewerage flow issues in Aeroparque Street, Bonaero Park, to population expansion.
According to CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, the neighbourhood has experienced population expansion, which has put pressure on the infrastructure.
“The city is working with contractors to address challenges.”
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In the July 4 edition of the Kempton Express, it was reported that residents of Aeroparque Street had lived with consistent sewerage issues.
Residents said the issues have been ongoing for ten years and have gradually become worse.
“The street has three sewerage manholes that always burst at the same time,” said resident Butch Vernon.
He added issues have become so bad that raw sewage regularly flows into yards.
“We are honestly living under terrible conditions. The smell is terrible and we cannot even open our windows for fresh air.
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“The sewerage stream passes over our gate, and we have no choice but to drive over it to get in our yard,” said Vernon.
He said he had to make alterations to his doors and water drains to keep the sewage out of his yard.
“It feels like we are stuck in our homes, surrounded by sewage.
“We cannot even have guests because it is embarrassing,” he added.
Vernon and his neighbours are worried because, according to them, the situation means their property values have decreased.
“We love it here. We raised our children here. It is heartbreaking what this area has become,” said Vernon.
Additionally, he said that when residents reported the matter on the CoE’s App their complaints were closed before anything was resolved.
Dlamini said the neighbourhood experienced a population expansion that placed pressure on the infrastructure.
He added certain sections of the infrastructure system require upgrades.
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Dlamini confirmed that the city received complaints from residents about the CoE App.
He said the main purpose of the app was for residents to report service delivery issues.
“Once loaded on the app, the issue is directed to the relevant department.
“When the app states a matter is closed, it means it has been forwarded to the relevant department.
“Only the relevant departments can close reported cases,” said Dlamini.
He assured residents the standard turnaround time for resolving sewerage issues is 48 hours.
“However, this may vary when resolving this challenge,” he said.
Dlamini said work to resolve the issues in Bonaero Park was ongoing.
“Work already started along Barajas Street.”
