The East Rand Water Care Company (ERWAT) started the upgrade two years ago with funding from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
“The funds for this project come from the sewage charge the public sees on their monthly statements from Ekurhuleni,” says ward councillor Ramesh Sheodin.
Ekurhuleni loaned the R550-mil to fund the project, using the monthly fee paid by council customers to settle the debt.
Sheodin says he is very pleased with the upgrade, as the sewage works adversely affected the lives of all residents in the area, including Welgedacht, Bakerton, Payneville and Strubenvale.
“The sewage used to flow into the Blesbokspruit Dam and caused an unbelievably bad stench, but it is clear that it has stopped as the capacity is much bigger, and they are able to handle more sewage.”