Heavy rainfall is pushing Newcastle’s sewage infrastructure to its limit.
A resident of Hutten Heights complained about sewage flowing through her yard last week, in what is believed to be resultant effect of recent heavy rains.
She was disgusted at the nauseating stench of sewage.
The situation culminated with her husband joining municipal workers in opening a nearby manhole to remove the blockage.
Yet this problem was not unique to Hutten Heights alone.
Residents of a few other suburbs of Newcastle reported the same, and the topic was brought up in a meeting with Municipal Manager, Errol Mswane.
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He explained that during rains, volumes through sewage pipes also increased.
Mswane said these increased volumes caused many problems, and it was difficult to respond to underground network problems.
Yet he urged residents to continue reporting problems.
“If there is any frustration with staff or complaints not being attended to, residents can call my office so I can investigate.”
Many residents complained of sewage spillages towards the end of 2017, and in the early parts of the new year.
While acknowledging certain facts, Mswane said the flushing away of foreign objects had become a serious matter.
These objects and tree roots commonly blocked pipes.
Mswane also noted he would continue investigating restaurants which did not regularly clean out fat traps leading to the sewer lines.
“Their waste is often to blame for blockages.”
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