Resident takes on Ekurhuleni over environmental damage
I am really concerned about severe sewerage overflowing everywhere in Alberton.
I am really concerned about severe sewage overflowing everywhere in Alberton.
I contacted the council on Saturday (September 3) advising them of an environmental disaster and have received no response to date.
Sewage has been pumping into the stream between 17 and 19 Marilyn Street, Brackenhurst Ext 2, since Friday, September 2.
Why is it that when reporting environmental issues that will affect life, be it birds, plants or animals, nothing gets done?
I reported the environmental issues surrounding this waterway earlier in the year, but nothing is being done to resolve them.
Further down, where the stream passes several housing complexes and makes it way towards the Rand Water facility, I’ve seen children playing in this contaminated water, which is a major health risk.
The large bullfrogs have nearly all been wiped out because of the continued pollution of this stream. Blue cranes are still frequenting the area along with the black-shouldered kites, but if this type of contamination continues all wildlife will be wiped out soon.
Steve Godwin
The EMM was approached for comment via email on Friday, September 9, but to date (Wednesday, September 14), no comment has been forthcoming.
The councillor commented as follows:
“I refer to all the articles in the press, in respect to the dire sewerage situation experienced in most areas of Alberton and in most other towns in the Metro,” says Ward Councillor Bruna Haipel.
“We (councillors Haipel and Van Wyk) can assure the residents that their concerns are taken very seriously and immediately forwarded to the relevant officials and departments. We are continually forwarding requests for urgent attention to the many sewage overflows which plague the ratepayers of Alberton,” say the councillor.
Haipel further stated that according to the ‘Customer Service Standards’ booklet published by the EMM, “severe overflows” should be attended to, within two hours, sewer blockages of large pipes within six hours. sewer blockages of small pipes within 12 hours, spillage clean-up within 48 hours and the replacement of manhole covers within 24 hours.
All the above apply, provided a call is logged with 086 045 3000 and a reference number obtained.
She also said: “It is sad to say this does not happen and very often the councillors have to bear the brunt of the council’s inefficiency. The infrastructure is old and has not been upgraded.
“Some people tend to abuse the system by disposing of nappies, rags and various other items therein and most importantly, the system capacity is highly overstretched due to densification.
“One of the reasons is that the ‘Contribution to Engineering Services’ which have to be paid by developers when re-zoning, are not ring-fenced for the area of densification and therefore not used there.
“Another reason is the fact that some appointed contractors do not work smartly or efficiently and quite often the call centre does not answer phones within five rings as per the service standards, and residents give up,” she added.
You may also be interested in:
*albertonrecord.co.za/…/resident-expresses-concern-in-letter-regarding- jackson-dam/;
*albertonrecord.co.za/…/open-letter-from-distraught-post-office-client/
*albertonrecord.co.za/119390/sewerage-everywhere/
