RESIDENTS of Chinatown and the Navy areas in Merebank are thrilled as the council starts upgrading the areas outdated sewerage systems, which have been plagued by recurrent sewage blockages for more than five years.
In a major step towards resolving a long-standing issue, eThekwini Municipality launched an ambitious project to replace ageing sewerage pipes in the Chinatown and Navy areas.
Also read: Blocked drains cause sewage to spill into Merebank homes
This initiative promises to put an end to the persistent sewage blockages that have plagued the community for over two decades.
Navin Singh, chairperson of the Chinatown and Navy Civic Association, expressed relief and optimism about the new project.
“For the past five years, residents of Chinatown have been grappling with frequent sewage blockages,” Singh said. “Our first attempt to address this problem began in December last year when we started working with engineers on the project. The pipes are 1.7m deep and about 20m long, and we encountered significant issues with the trench filling up with water and sewage. Despite these challenges, the engineers did impressive work.”
Singh detailed the ongoing challenges faced by the community, noting that regular blockages led to frequent unpleasant smells and disruptions.
Also read: Ward 68 responds to sewer blockages in Merebank
“We wrote a detailed letter to the head of the department, Ednick Msweli, outlining the extent of the issue. We are relieved that the municipality has responded by sending a contractor to address the problem,” he added.
The project aims to replace outdated sewerage infrastructure that has been a major source of inconvenience for more than 50 homes relying on the main line that transports sewage to the Himalaya pump station. Residents have endured between seven to 10 blockages a day since 2019, contributing to a pervasive and unpleasant sewage odor in the area.
Mayor Cyril Xaba highlighted the significance of the project in a recent meeting, emphasising that it is part of a broader plan by the municipality to overhaul sanitation infrastructure across eThekwini by 2030.
“This is just one of many projects aimed at improving sanitation and ending blockages throughout our city. We are committed to upgrading our infrastructure to enhance the quality of life for all residents,” Xaba said.
The replacement of the sewerage pipes in Chinatown and Navy is expected to bring much-needed relief to the community and serve as a model for future infrastructure improvements in other areas of eThekwini.
PR councillor for the DA Thabani Ndlovu stated that the project commenced on Monday last week and is expected to be completed within this week.
“The old pipes that have been removed appear to be made from low-quality materials unsuitable for carrying sewage. They resemble agricultural pipes, which are typically made from PVC and used in various agricultural applications. These pipes should never have been used for sewage in the first place. With the council now replacing them with durable materials, we hope this will put an end to the sewage blockages affecting the area,” said Ndlovu.
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