Van Riebeek Park residents get flooded with sewerage
The overflow has ruined our garden and of the neighbours around us.
A large-scale sewerage leak negatively affected several residents of Van Riebeeck Park.
Last week, the Kempton Express visited the area and spoke to residents affected.
Jarryd Long said they first detected the leak on August 20.
He added they immediately reported the matter to the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) and received a reference number.
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“The next day, a team arrived to repair the leak but could not get it right. They also sent in a water tanker to open the line, but that also did not work.
On the Wednesday after they reported the overflowing sewerage, the contractors arrived on site again.
“They visited three different houses before they said they needed a map to find the manhole at another house,” said Long.
“This is a health hazard and the whole place stinks.”
He added this was not the first time residents in the area had experienced a sewerage spill of this nature.
“People’s houses were full of sewage.”
Long said the sewerage overflow would sometimes last for up to two weeks.
“The overflow has ruined our garden and many of our neighbours too,” said Long.
“The municipality fixes the problem, but no one ever cleans up the mess.”
Fellow Van Riebeeck Park resident, Elaine van de Walt said she could not go to work the entire week.
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“I am sick, my child is sick, this a health hazard. This is horrible. My children cannot play outside and my dog is not doing well. Everyone has to stay indoors.”
She said this was the third time she had experienced the sewerage overflow.
“The municipality keeps fixing the blockage temporarily, but it does not help in the long run.”
Van der Walt said she was told the reoccurrence of the overflow was a result of residents disposing of items that blocked the lines.
She believes the overflow would stop if the city upgraded the lines.
Ward 15 Clr Amanda Davison said she was aware of the spillage and escalated it from day one.
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Davison added the chief engineer also prioritised the matter.
“There is a major sewer issue overall in Kempton Park because of an old infrastructure. They have not properly maintained it for over 25 years.
“The water and sanitation teams have worked 24/7 to clear the blockages and backlogs. They are an amazing team and I thank them for their efforts and hard work.”
Davison said she contacted the city manager and requested help for the water and sanitation depot in Kempton Park.
To resolve the matter in Van Riebeeck Park, the water and sanitation department had to liaise with the parks department to help remove a tree.
Once they removed the tree, teams could access the sewerage line and repair the leak.
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Long confirmed on Monday to the Kempton Express they solved the issue.
He said residents discussed various issues with the team that was on site.
“The people on the ground are doing a great job. It seems the break in communication comes from the call centre,” he said.
The Kempton Express sent an enquiry to the CoE on August 24, requesting a comment by August 28.
At the time of going to print, they issued no comment.
