Matheran Road residents fed-up with sewage leaks

RESIDENTS of Matheran Road in Effingham say urgent action is needed to address long standing sewage leaks which have made their lives ‘unbearable’ for the past few months.

Recently, Northglen News was contacted by a group of concerned residents who said the leaks have led to an increase of flies and mosquitoes in the area, and an intolerable stench.

Two leaks across Matheran Road (just off Firwood Road) have also left pedestrians no choice but to walk through raw sewage on a daily basis. Something resident Christopher Thusi says is unacceptable.

Read also: Glenhills sinkhole continues to widen

“We’ve reported this issue several times. We’ve all got references but nothing has been done in the last three months. When we initially reported it, the councillor helped and the City built three new manholes to alleviate the pressure on the sewerage system on the road. However, in recent months, there has been raw sewage flowing out of two manholes which feed into a natural stream. The overflow has also covered the road in raw sewage and the smell is quite unbearable. In the summer heat the situation is made even worse. The last time the City engineers unclogged the pipes they found foreign items that clog the drains,” Thusi said.

Ward councillor, Bobby Maharajh, said he had been told the overflow of waste water was due to residents flushing alien items into the sewerage network.

“The City has told me they have found all sorts of items in the sewerage pipes like pieces of cloth and sanitary pads which in part is causing the problem when they’ve unclogged the pipes. However, this particular leak is flowing out of two manhole covers for a long time without any action from the City, despite it being reported. With the incessant heat, the smell is unbearable so I totally understand the residents’ frustrations.

In other news: Firwood Road Pool may only reopen in 2023 says councillor

“I do think there needs to be an education drive as to what shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet. This is happening far too often and costing the ratepayers thousands of Rands. What the residents need is a permanent solution, the blockage is one part of the problem. Matheran Road residents have been complaining about this issue for many years,” Maharajh said.

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