GEORGE NEWS - Every time there are good rains, residents who live at the further end of Tabata Street find themselves marooned, hostages in their own homes. Those whose houses border the street cannot step outside and their vehicles struggle to pass through the flooding water.
Tabata Street resident Zikiswa Jekwa said they have been facing this problem for years. They have complained to the George Municipality, but nothing has been done to fix the problem. "This has been happening all these years and we are expected to pay municipal rates while we are living in these conditions," she said. "This is totally unfair. We can't go out to work and the kids have to pass through neighbours' houses to avoid the flooding. We have reported the matter several times to the municipality and they always promise to send people."
Upon enquiry, George municipal communications officer Athane Scholtz said the situation has been reported via the normal complaints procedure.
She said the situation is caused by stormwater drains that are blocked due to mud, dirt, leaves, tree roots and silt, as well as objects that are discarded in the drains instead of rubbish removal systems.
"Each of these flows into our pipe network and disrupt the water flow. Some stormwater systems consist of a complex network of pipes and because of this, unblocking storm water drains in most cases are not a quick, simple solution and requires a jetting machine," she said.
She said blockages are also caused by the damaging of inlet kerbs and stormwater infrastructure, causing water to run pass catch pits and eventually accumulating at one catch pit which may not have sufficient capacity to handle the run-off.
"In this particular case, the blockage was caused as a result of inappropriate/unwanted materials being dumped into the stormwater system," she added.
The problem is being attended to by the municipality's operational staff as part of their routine maintenance.
Residents are urged not to throw unwanted items inside the drains. Rubbish must be disposed of in rubbish bags or municipal rubbish bins so it can be collected, as these items are causing blockages in the drainage system.
Vehicles struggle to pass through the floodwater in Tabata Street.
Flooding in front of Zikiswa Jekwa's house. Photos: Supplied
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