Fontainbleau residents complain about sewage hole

Fontainbleau residents in Maria Street, have complained that the maintenance of the sewage hole in the corner of Maria and Elise streets, has not only become a health hazard, but it has also hampered business in the area.

Andre Smit, a resident, said he struggles to drive into his driveway because of the sewage flood and blockage caused by the big hole, which has been dug in front of his house.

Adri Vosloo, whose fiance owns a business in Maria street, said the digging of the hole which began last month, has inconvenienced their business.

“For two weeks the hole was opened and nobody was working on it. I phoned laying complaints and nothing happened. After two weeks workers showed up and I was informed that Johanesburg Water messed up with the job and that a private contractor was taking over to fix the sewerage pipe that was broken,” explained Vosloo. According to her, workers scooped sewage water out of the hole and threw it on the street.

“This is a heath hazard and is against the environmental law. Now the whole block has no telephones and internet,” said Vosloo.

She said Johannesburg Water told them that, they have taken over the project again and could not tell how long it was going to take them to fix the problem. Another businesswoman, Norma Antonie who runs a catering business in the same street, said she has been struggling to get trucks in and out to load goods because of the challenges posed by the sewage. According to communication and marketing of Johannesburg Water, Millicent Kabwe, the sewer line was identified as one which needed upgrading and therefore, that process is underway.

“This is a capex project and not a response to a customer complaint and therefore unlike a 24 hours turnaround for sewer blockages, this would take a little longer because infrastructure is being upgraded,” explained Kabwe.

Details: Millicent Kabwe 011 688 1577, 082 042 2517.