Residents of the various residential units on Van Bergen Street in Amarosa, Ruimsig have had their fill of a very stinky situation. When the weather turns towards rain, residents brace themselves for the rivers of sewage and waste that will flow down their street.
Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2022/06/27/residents-have-to-watch-their-step-literally/
“In November of 2021 I reported the flooding of the Timbavati Complex during rain pours for the second time and nothing had been done,” explained Gerhard van Rooyen. “The problem started when the new extension of Van Bergen Road with the development of the complex Vista off Totius Road opened.”
Van Rooyen went on to say it seemed that a French drain of sorts was built near the T-junction of Van Bergen Street and Vieira Road.
“It fills up with storm water every time there is a bit of rain and the water then runs down Van Bergen Street, onto the pavement at La Riviera, and into Timbavati Complex, flooding the driveways in the complex.” He added that water ran down the street the whole of the rainy season, and only stopped once the rain stopped.
It seems as though a few items factor in to solve the drainage problem. Firstly, the gradient at which Van Bergen Street slopes down the hill; secondly, the residential units and retirement villages being developed on top of the hill in Amoaosa; and lastly, the insufficient capacity of the drainage system being used by the occupants of the many buildings in the area. Due to the high demand at which the sewerage system operates, with the added burden of storm water during the rainy season it is no surprise that the waste is escaping through any opening it can find. This begs the question, do the municipality and land developers take the high volumes of waste into consideration when designing the sewerage system?
To make matters worse, on the corner of Flora Haase and Van Bergen Street is a manhole that keeps opening, causing a hazard for motorists and pedestrians.
“I’ve been battling with the JRA and Councillor Jacques Hoon to get the very dangerous manhole lid repaired. It was reported on May 17. I was told it would take 14 days from the date the job card was issued. When I enquired a month later I was told to be patient. It’s now more than two months and I haven’t received any response from JRA or the councillor,” continued Van Rooyen.
Councillor Hoon sat down with the Northsider to discuss the issues raised by the Amorosa community.
“I will escalate the matter with the relevant authorities,” he said, adding that he would update the Northsider when a site visit had been conducted and a solution found.
The Northsider will do a follow-up as soon as more information becomes available. At the time of going to press the City of Joburg had not commented on the situation. Once comment has been received, the Northsider will update its readers.
