Residents fed up with longstanding Sea Cow Lake sewage leak

MEMBERS of the Sea Cow Lake/Kenville Ratepayers Association say they are at their wit’s end over a longstanding sewage leak on Sea Cow Lake Road. According to the chairman of the association, Wayne Govender, a blocked sewerage pipe is the cause of the overspill which makes walking on the road hazardous.

He has also expressed concern for motorists as the leak has begun to erode sections of tar around the manhole cover and posing a threat to drivers using the road.

“There are two sections that are particularly bad on Sea Cow Lake Road just under the railway bridge. The problem with the sewerage pipe has been ongoing for three or four years and though the City has repaired and unclogged the pipe, the issue arises again within a few days.

In other municipal news: Glenhills resident proposes changes for Malacca Road dump

“We are concerned for the health of residents and pedestrians using the walkway. Whenever a vehicle drives over the manhole cover where the sewage is flowing they are likely to get sprayed. That is a health hazard. The surface of the road has also worsened due to the leaks and that is a problem for motorists who don’t know the area. You can easily buckle a rim or damage your tyre where the potholes are. We have had residents who have put in claims to the City for the damage done to their vehicles,” he said.

Fellow resident and member of the ratepayers association, Anil Beekrum, concurred with Govender.

“When the City unclogged the sewerage pipe a few weeks ago they found foreign objects like sanitary pads and sand clogging the pipe which is causing the sewage to overflow and spill on to the road surface. Like Wayne (Govender) has said, the situation in unhygienic and a danger to motorists. We hope the City will repair the issue speedily because the route is going get busier from this week as most industries start back and the schools reopen. The traffic on the route could exacerbate the leak and the accompanying problems,” he said.

You can also sign up for news alerts on Telegram. Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5532.  

Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.