Three-week old sewage spill leaves foul smell in Bromhof residents’ noses

Residents who live along the banks of the Pampoen Spruit have been subjected to foul-smelling odours after blocked sewage pipes have been leaking into the river for the past three weeks.

Blocked sewage pipes can be seen spilling sewage at an alarming rate into the stream, polluting it with debris and a stomach-turning stench.

Concerned Wilgeboom Avenue resident Ashleigh Pearce said that at certain times the odour is so bad that his family needs to burn scented candles and incense to mask the smell coming into his home.

“This is totally unbearable. We have to keep all of our windows closed and it is very difficult to even go outside.

Three weeks ago, I reported the issue to Joburg Water and my ward councillor who said that he had escalated the issue.”

Pearce was told that there was a sewage spill further up the line that has now blocked pipes further down the sewerage line.

“Everyone along the spruit is having this issue, and something needs to be done about it. Environmentally, this is a disaster, and I hope that our rates and taxes can be put to good use fixing it.”

Ward 101 councillor Dalu Cele confirmed that he had escalated the issue several times with Joburg Water and will be providing further details on the issue when he receives it.

Joburg Water’s Isaac Dhludhlu said he has logged an urgent call for the depot to attend to the problem.