Sewage leak on sidewalk in Fochville

Fochville residents complain that they are not receiving any assistance from the Merafong Municipality in fixing a persistent sewage leak.

Motorists travelling along Loopspruit Avenue towards Greenspark cannot help but notice the sewage flowing down from the footpath opposite Master Drilling.

Although the sewage exits from a manhole further up the street, it flows up the roadside to a stormwater drain at the corner of Potchefstroom Street.

“We have been reporting this to the municipality every day since June 18 this year. Sometimes people from the municipality come to unblock the drain, but by noon it is blocked again,” complains Poppy Maxolo, an employee of Makopane Distributors, which is located next to the overflowing manhole.

Maxolo also showed the Herald some of the various complaints sent to the municipal call center, as well as the reference number assigned by the municipality.

Several other passers-by also expressed their discomfort about the smelly sewage on the sidewalk.

According to Maxolo, the wastewater also poses a health risk because their company works with food.

“The sewage outlet next to No. 7 was investigated and it was found that there was a
Object that obstructs the flow of wastewater. The area will be excavated within this week and
repaired,” said Temba Fezani, the municipality’s marketing and communications manager, when asked about the matter.