Stink about sewage problem
Family fears for health as raw sewage flows through property
RESIDENT Charmaine Naidoo, 51, said she had made complaints to the department on various occasions over the past three weeks without success, and now feared for her family’s health.
She said her son had had bouts of influenza in that time and visited a doctor on two occasions for treatment and medication. When City Watch visited the neighbourhood, the stench was overpowering as you got closer to Naidoo’s home. “We no longer enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep because of the stench that fills our home. Enjoying a meal is no longer possible.
“The smell gives us headaches which makes us feel as if our heads are going to crack open,” said Naidoo who lives with her husband and son.
Naidoo said the situation had made their lives miserable and made it impossible for them to live in their home any longer.
A troublesome sewer pipe linked to a manhole has been an ongoing problem, complained Naidoo.
She said that in spite of municipal officials inspecting the manhole, which was previously situated at the back of her property, no solution had been found.
She and her family have to contend with raw sewage that flows on to her property each morning.
“We have made numerous calls to the department and on each occasion all we receive is a reference number.
“I am worried that if this problem is not fixed, relatives will no longer visit, especially during the Easter holidays just around the corner. I cannot afford to place my family’s life in danger because of the potential health risks.”
Naidoo also said her tenant, Emmanuel Zulu, who rents her granny cottage, was forced to find alternative accommodation.
Zulu said after the sewer spillage happened, he experienced breathing difficulties.
Naidoo said municipal workers had previously dug around the manhole but aborted their work and advised her to get the services of the private plumber, which her family could not afford.
“The workmen said the broken servitude pipe could have been affected by the granny cottage being built close to it. They promised to study the site plan before continuing with their work but have not done so,” said Naidoo.
Municipal spokesperson Tozi Mthethwa said the blockage has been reported to the relevant unit and it will be attended to. She said most of the problems arising in the sewers are created by the public abusing the sewers. “Only bodily excretions, wash water (not from cars) and toilet paper should enter the City sewers,” Mthethwa said.