Durban — A Bluff resident who had sewage water flowing through his property for 20 days is considering hiring private plumbers to resolve the matter.
On Thursday, the Daily News reported that a municipal sewer and manhole, within a servitude traversing many properties on one side of the street in the Treasure Beach zone, were blocked.
The municipal manhole had overflowed and it had caused a backup/clogging of the main sewer, resulting in sewage overflowing from manholes on to least 12 properties. This was first reported on Monday, July 25.
One of the homeowners, who wished to remain anonymous, emailed city officials last week, pleading for help. On Friday, a team from the municipality conducted a check on the pump station that is perceived to be the cause of the problem.
“Friday's crew worked on the pump station and tried to unblock whatever they thought was blocking the pipe from the St Geran Road public car park. They were supposed to come back on Saturday but nothing happened. Only the councillor and I continue to fight on but I have given up... stressed and depressed. I am going to engage private plumbers on Monday and pay through my nose,” the homeowner said.
The stream of sewage has eroded his soil, knocked over a tree and spilled onto a popular beach staircase. In his email, the homeowner also detailed the plight of municipal workers who tried to resolve the problem without proper equipment.
eThekwini ward 66 councillor Zoe Solomon said the issue was incomplete and it was against the rules for a resident to involve private plumbers in the matter.
Solomon said a municipal pump house on Ernest Bower Road could have malfunctioned because of vandalism. Solomon said it was not only the Bluff area but the entire eThekwini region that was experiencing sewerage-related problems.
In Overport, councillor Remona Mckenzie said she had been battling with the department of water and sanitation for four months to have a broken sewer pipe repaired on Sheringham Road.
“The pipe is deep underground from what I was told. The stench is unbearable for the ratepayers living on the road. The residents have the opinion that councillors are not doing their job, yet they have no idea what we deal with on a daily basis,” she said.
Daily News