Residents in Struisbult have given up on attempts to get the Ekurhuleni municipality to fix a burst sewage pipe near Kwartel and Fisant streets.
The sewage flows directly onto the streets.
In one area, a pipe is spurting litres of water non-stop into a wetland, which leads all the way to the Vogesltruisbult dam.
Dricus Boshoff, a resident from the area, says a blocked sewer main is causing sewage to overflow from a manhole close to the dam.
Boshoff says residents began complaining over a year ago about a foul smell and sewage leaking onto the streets, but nothing was done.
“We reported the leak several times and workers came to check but nothing has been done to date.”
Months after the leak was reported, a massive sewage spill, which originated from the manhole, flowed into the dam.
Johann Botha, who is also a resident, says the unhygienic situation in the area poses a major health hazard.
His big concern is that summer is around the corner and will bring heavy rain.
“If the sewer is overflowing now, imagine when there is heavy rain – the whole area will be covered in sewage.”
Botha says the sewage flows freely and if remedial action is not taken soon, nature and animals found near the dam will suffer more damage and looming disease.
The metro failed to comment at the time of publishing.
