Years of continuous raw sewage spillage into the Hartbeespoort Dam on the Ifafi shore have caused a compacted sewage bank stretching over 100 metres.
A manhole has been overflowing for years, and a sewer pipe from Schoemansville to the Ifafi pump station broke months ago, spilling raw sewage into the dam.
During a visit to the site, a large area of raw sewage has compacted approximately 100m into the dam. “We used to fish from this bridge and the water depth is 4-6 metres, depending on the water level. This is all sewage now,” long-time resident, Marius Kruger said. Residents requested urgent intervention from Madibeng Municipality on Friday and a contractor was on the scene on Monday. According to the contractor, he was merely requested to fix the pipeline. He did not know whether the sewage bank would be removed.
Madibeng Municipality spokesperson Tumelo Tshabala said that the contractor is sourcing material so that work can start. “We are waiting for an excavator. The sludge will be redirected to a trench from where it will be pumped out. Rehabilitation work wil start soon.”