WATCH: Sewage causes frustration for Northgate residents
Resident Bafana Mngadi said he has no idea how Joburg water is repeating the same exercise instead of escalating it internally for a much more knowledgeable figurehead.
Ward 134 Councillor Devon Steenkamp met with the city departments on a walkabout to investigate the cause of the constant sewage problem that has been troubling residents for some time in Northgate.
The leak is pouring out from the drainage pipe on the property fence and down to the corner of Northumberland and Aureole Avenue. The waste is visible in the road and smelly water is stagnant due to overgrown grass and blocked drains.
Steenkamp explained that the walk-about was aimed at seeing the problem and discussing which departments can assist in fighting it. “I believe that there is a serious matter of blockages and vegetation that is causing the issue. I know from experience that roots can cause blockages; that’s what I suspect. However, we will wait for Joburg Water to confirm.”
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Gauteng Department of Road and Transport, City Parks, and City of Johannesburg were the departments that attended the walkabout.
Steenkamp stated that Johannesburg Water was invited, but unfortunately, they could not make it.
“Road and Transports department have committed to clear and clean one of the storm water drains; that is part of their scope to release some of the sewage. The [sewage] does collect on the bend of Northumberland and is causing some major health hazards as it splashes everywhere when a car passes.”
He added that they did find the source where the sewage is coming from, but they will wait for Johannesburg Water to confirm, and check the property’s sewerage line.
Johannesburg Water was sent questions regarding the issue, but have not responded by the time of print. However, their response will be published once made available.
Resident Helen Cock explained that the issue is happening at least 3 times a month, and Johannesburg Water only gets to it after a few days of residents logging and tweeting.
“It is a huge problem and has been happening since last year. It makes my car smell as I drive in that direction twice a day. It’s extremely unhygienic and some people have to walk that route daily. Joburg Water needs to find the source of the problem and fix it properly so that it doesn’t happen every few weeks.”
Resident Bafana Mngadi said that the problem has been a serious health and hygiene issue for them as residents and for the corporate plus retail players based in the area.
“When I go to Northgate Mall to buy food I have to step on faeces and used toilet paper with my car and bring it back to the complex I stay in, with all the germs and smell that comes with it. I also work around the corner from this problem where we have international clients coming into our office having to pass through this shameful never-ending horror show.”
He added that when they report the entity issues all of them with the same reference number. If they come to fix it, it will burst again in less than a week, then they repeat the same exercise.
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