DA welcomes R300-million allocation to address long-standing sewerage issues in Bonaero Park
by Ald. Andre du Plessis — DA Councillor for Ward 23 in Ekurhuleni
Date: 28 January 2022
Release: Immediate
Type: Media statement
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is proud to report that R300-million has been allocated by National Government to the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE), to address the constant water interruptions and sewage overflows in the Benoni area and surrounds.
Bonaero Park has been particularly badly affected by the lack of maintenance and repairs to sewerage infrastructure under the previous administration, resulting in major sewage overflows into the wetland, with residents coining the infamous term “Poo Lake”.
The DA was able to put pressure on the National Department of Water and Sanitation through a number of resident-driven petitions demanding that the issue be urgently rectified. This pressure has finally born fruit, with a commitment made by the Department to build a new sewer line in the area, in order to divert sewerage from the old pipe, which has been badly perforated for years through rust and decay.
During a site visit by Members of Parliament on the 25th of January 2022, the DA highlighted the need for the granting of a Water Use License, which was hampering further work to the sewerage infrastructure in the area, specifically, the diversion of sewerage from companies directly to the pump station in Essendon Street. It remains a mystery how the previous administration allowed the sewerage line to be connected directly into the suburban sewer line leading to constant leakages and overflows — it’s this poor planning that urgently needs to be rectified.
Additionally, the R300-million has been earmarked to be used to upgrade the Pomona Sewer Pump Station, thereby making the Essendon Street and Blaaupan pump stations redundant allowing for greater efficiencies.
The DA would like to thank all residents who contributed to the petitions, as well the governing Multi-Party Coalition in Ekurhuleni for recognising the urgent need for these sewerage infrastructure upgrades and overseeing the process in Ward 23.
Cllr. Andre du Plessis
DA Councillor for Ward 23 in Ekurhuleni
