Heidelberg Road’s secret swamp
A leak in an unoccupied field in Heidelberg Road has created a semi wetland of sewage hidden from view.
ALBERTON – A leak located deep within an unoccupied field on Heidelberg Road has created a large pool of water containing effluent and waste.
The leak was noticed by a cyclist crossing the field on his daily ride. He attempted to report it to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) on Friday, September 11, but had trouble explaining the exact location of the leak because it is in the middle of a field, shielded from the street by both distance and trees.
A running stream of dirty water feeds the swamp-like expanse from a sewer hole that is pumping water and effluent into the open field. Wildlife is believed to have flocked to the leak. Large birds can be seen bathing in the foul-smelling water and cows walk through it, eating the grass that is almost covered in waste.
While the leak is still far enough from the street that it cannot be seen, it is constantly being fed water from the sewer hole and according to the cyclist, who initially noticed the problem, the leak has worsened.
The RECORD has contacted the EMM regarding the leak and provided a map and photographs detailing its location. Comment had not been received from the EMM at the time of publication.
