Sewage leak causes a stench
PARKHURST – Joburg Water spokesperson Puleng Mopeli said there are a number of challenges around that particular area, including access to the manhole which is located in the bush.
Parkhurst resident Christian Gevers is angered by the alleged slow action by Joburg Water to fix the raw sewage flowing into the servitude below his home on 11th Street.
Gevers said he first noticed the sewage when taking his dogs for a walk. He said he reported the issue to various community groups on March 18 but waited five days until the matter was attended to by Joburg Water.
Gevers said that he estimates that thousands of litres of sewage were flowing into the Braamfontein Spruit, endangering birds, fish and other wildlife in the river as well as people conducting religious ceremonies at various parks along the Spruit.
“The situation merits a response beyond a ticket. This is not on my property but I am simply doing my civic duty by reporting it,” said Gevers. “It is a basic human right to have access to clean water and this is disgusting.”
Property owner Colleen Crooks said Joburg Water should have visited the site on March 18 to attend to the problem.
“I can no longer take my dogs to the river and there is a terrible smell here,” said Crooks to the Gazette, when the paper visited the site on the morning of March 23.
The Gazette logged the issue on behalf of the resident on March 23 and Joburg Water arrived that day to rectify the issue.
Joburg Water spokesperson Puleng Mopeli said there are a number of challenges around that particular area, including access to the manhole which is located in the bush.
There is also a 200m diameter pipe on the outfall, meaning the majority of the sewer from that area is directed through that pipe. Mopeli said there is also a restaurant in the area without a grease trap, which contributes to sewer blockages.
“Joburg Water has also engaged City Parks as there are trees which pose a risk of roots growing towards this particular pipe,” said Mopeli.
Mopeli said the issue is that the call was only logged on 23 March, which is the same day that the issue was attended to. “We implore residents to use various methods to log their queries with both Johannesburg Water and the City of Johannesburg channels,” added Mopeli.
Customers can call 086 056 2874 or 011 688 1699 or SMS 076 333 5052 or email customer@jwater.co.za. They can also log complaints on Twitter @JHBWater or on Facebook on Johannesburg Water.
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