Stagnant water on doorstep irks Pacaltsdorp resident

GEORGE NEWS - A Pacaltsdorp resident is having to live with periodic stagnant water almost on his doorstep because of a municipal storm water pipe that runs out onto his property.

Archie Stripp from Coronation Street, Dellville Park, complained to George Herald that the storm water outlet is frequently blocked, causing messy and unhygienic conditions within a few metres of his verandah. He had reported the problem to the municipality on multiple occasions during 2023, but to no avail.

"Part of the problem is illegal dumping in the storm water system. Also, the storm water pipes of the whole of Dellville Park were connected during an upgrade by the municipality in December 2022 and since then the amount of rubbish that collects at the outlet has become worse.

"The municipality used to keep the outlet clean, but weeds have been allowed to take over, aggravating the situation. We have to put up with a stench, flies and mosquitoes, and it is not our own doing," said Stripp.

The newspaper relayed Stripp's desperation to the municipality in December last year and Acting Director of Civil Engineering Services Lionel Daniels responded that staff had gone out to the site on 19 December to clear the outlet.

However, on 8 January, Stripp contacted George Herald again, complaining that the clean-up had done nothing to improve the waterflow away from his property.

There is still stagnant water, which is a breeding place for mosquitoes. "It is so unpleasant, we cannot sit outside on our own porch," he said.

According to Daniels, George Municipality is to upgrade some storm water outlets in Lynx, Stag and Olympic streets in Dellville Park.

An environmental impact assessment (EIA) for this project is underway. Nothing further can be done on Stripp's propertyuntil the EIA is completed, as his property abuts a critical biodiversity area where disturbance and construction are not allowed.

The upgrading project will comprise the upsizing of the storm water outlets in Lynx and Stag streets and clearance of vegetation that is blocking free flow of storm water.

The storm water collected along the existing pipe system in Olympic Street is to be discharged to erf 325 at the Llama Street intersection, as opposed to discharging through the storm water system at the Lynx and/or Stag street outlets.

The newspaper is awaiting feedback on whether the upgrade will resolve Stripp's complaint of stagnant water on his property.

Illegal dumping in storm water pipes 'a battle we struggle to win'

Late last year George Herald also received a complaint from Johannes van Rooyen from Thembalethu about a blocked drain in Tabata Street where sewage had been overflowing, posing a health threat to residents. Van Rooyen said he had reported it to the municipality, but to no avail.

After being alerted by the newspaper, the municipality dispatched staff to the area. After their site visit, Daniels said the initial complaint had been received without a valid address, but staff were able to locate it and then attended to it immediately.

"It should be emphasised that this complaint emanates from illegal dumping of unwanted materials into our storm water system, which was never intended or designed to handle these types of materials.

"Although we try to educate the public about the functioning of a storm water system and the sensitivity to dumping of any unwanted materials into it, it remains a battle we struggle to win."

The outlet is close to the Stripps' house. When it rains, water does not flow away, but becomes stagnant and is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. "We do not want to sit on our stoep anymore," said Archie Stripp.