The Ekurhuleni Metro said the underground sewer line, at the corner of Jubilee Road and Thomas Pringle Street, Boksburg South, was damaged by Rand Water contractors while they were laying an alternative feeder of their bulk supply.
Subsequently, raw sewage filled the trenches that had been dug up by Rand Water and spilled into the streets, before flowing into two nearby dams, exposing residents to excrement, bad smells and a health risk.
Residents complained of an ”unbearable smell”, adding that the broken underground sewer pipe, managed by the municipality, was damaged at least twice since December, last year.
The problem has been fixed in the meantime, but appalled residents have criticised the council for allowing raw sewage to run down their street for weeks, despite several complaints.
Joining the residents in expressing concern was Ward 32’s Clr Johan Hendricks, who claimed that he reported the matter to the metro’s local engineers several times before it was finally fixed.
“Those who live in about 35 homes closest to the damaged sewer line suffered due to the delay in taking action,” he said.
”The waste has probably also contaminated the water in the nearby dams.”Ekurhuleni Metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe admitted that the matter was reported to the municipality and added that workers have completed repairs to the faulty sewer line.
“The sewer line has since been repaired and all sewer effluent overflows were contained through the level control with the internal maintenance team,” said Gadebe.
