Urgent Need for New Sanitation Infrastructure in Pretoria North

The pressing need for new sanitation infrastructure in Pretoria North has come to the forefront as the area grapples with multiple sewage leaks over the past few months. These leaks endanger public health and raise concerns about environmental law violations.

Residents in the area are calling on the Tshwane metro to address this issue immediately. The ongoing sewage strain the city’s already overburdened infrastructure.

A recent incident highlighted the severity of the situation when learners at Laerskool Voortrekker Eeufees had to navigate through pools of raw sewage to access their school. This unsanitary and hazardous condition violates the learners’ right to education. It infringes on their basic human right to a safe and healthy living environment.

PR councillor Dehan Harmse highlighted that sanitation concerns in Pretoria North need urgent attention and should be treated as a top priority. He stressed that this issue affects not only Ward 2 but the entire city.

Harmse called for substantial investments in improving sanitation infrastructure to ensure the well-being of all residents. He underscored the necessity of a collaborative approach involving various stakeholders to address the problem effectively.

Also  read: New Primary School Construction Faces Opposition from Pretoria North Residents

According to Harmse, the ageing and fragile infrastructure significantly contributes to the frequent sewage leaks and pipe bursts in Pretoria North. Additionally, financial constraints faced by the city and the ongoing strike of municipal workers have exacerbated the situation.

He stated, “Due to the strike, repair teams are understaffed and often unable to access the necessary materials to fix the leaks, causing a backlog of repair work.”

For the new financial year 2023/24, the Tshwane metro has projected an income of R1.7 billion for city-wide sanitation. Metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba confirmed that plans are underway for the water and sanitation unit to address the sewer blockages. Regular sewer maintenance is conducted, including responding to blockages in the system.

Bokaba encouraged residents to play their part by refraining from disposing of foreign materials in the system, which can contribute to blockages and exacerbate the existing issues with sanitation infrastructure.

Source: Dire need for new sanitation infrastructure in Pretoria North following multiple sewage leaks

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Picture: Twitter / NNsa84

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