Update Video

GEORGE NEWS - The George Municipality has responded to Bergsig resident Johan Smit’s concerns about recurring sewage overflows in Suikerbossie Street, following the George Herald article “Rioolprobleem laat Bergsig-inwoner raadop”, published on Friday 18 September.

According to Jannie Koegelenberg, the director of civil engineering services, the municipality is aware of the concerns and has investigated the affected property. 

He said when the property was subdivided, the municipality raised its concerns about the dwelling being near the bulk sewer infrastructure. However, the municipality has not established that the subdivision itself was the cause of the recurring sewage overflows. 

“The municipality’s investigations indicate that the issue is linked to a number of factors affecting the wider sewer network,” said Koegelenberg.

He said the municipality identified excessive stormwater entering the municipal sewer network as the main contributing factor, particularly during heavy rainfall and subsequent the stormwater run-off. 

This can occur through unlawful or improper connections from private properties, including gutters, gulleys, pool overflows and rainwater tanks. 

Other contributing factors include roots and vegetation entering sewer pipes, damaged pipes, inappropriate items disposed of in the sewer system and saturated soil conditions. Items that can cause blockages include fats, cooking oil, sanitary products, wet wipes, rags and building material.

“The municipal sewer network is designed primarily to convey wastewater, with an allowance for stormwater ingress,” said Koegelenberg. “When additional volumes of rainwater enter the system, particularly during heavy rainfall, this overloads the capacity of the system - resulting in overflows.”

Eden Pump Station

According to the municipality, the Eden Pump Station catchment has sufficient theoretical capacity for the flows used in hydraulic modelling, including an allowance for some stormwater ingress. However, the modelling does not account for all additional stormwater that may enter through unlawful or improper connections.

The Sewer Pipe Replacement Prioritisation Plan indicates that sewer pipes in the catchment are generally in fair condition, and only limited sections are currently identified as high priority for replacement.

The municipality said it has inspected Smit’s property and conducted a camera survey of the sewer connection. Further sewer inspections, preventative maintenance and condition assessments are being undertaken. 

Regular root treatment and preventative sewer jetting are also carried out. A trenchless pipe rehabilitation tender is being prepared to allow for more detailed camera inspections and condition assessments, as well as the relining of sewer pipes to prevent groundwater ingress.

Watch: Video

Stormwater inspections

The municipality said it was conducting municipal-wide contravention inspections to identify properties where stormwater is entering the sewer network through unauthorised or improper connections. 

These include gutter downpipes, pool overflows, rainwater tank overflows and other stormwater drainage connections.

“In some cases, officials cannot gain access because residents are not at home or access is declined and the officials must do a follow-up visit or engage with law enforcement to gain access,” said Koegelenberg. He said where contraventions are confirmed, these will be addressed through the applicable municipal processes.

The municipality reminded property owners that, in terms of municipal by-laws, they are responsible for managing stormwater on their properties and ensuring that it does not unlawfully enter the municipal sewer system.

Longer-term measures

Longer-term measures include the development of a digital twin of the Eden Pump Station catchment using weather data, sensors and flow measurements. According to the municipality, this will assist with understanding flows through the network and improving planning, maintenance and response.

Early-warning systems are also being implemented at selected bulk sewer manholes, including locations along rivers.

The municipality said longer-term interventions include sewer rehabilitation and replacement based on condition and risk, further camera inspections, improved monitoring, preventative maintenance and additional early-warning measures.

Kat River concerns

As for the concerns that sewage could be entering the Kat River and potentially affecting the Garden Route Dam, the municipality said it is aware of diluted sewer overflows reaching the Kat River and the potential impact on surrounding water resources. 

“The public can rest assured the raw water quality coming in and out of the potable water treatment facilities is consistently monitored for public safety,” said Koegelenberg.

The municipality said it continues to implement preventative measures and maintenance to reduce sewer overflows.

Residents can report complaints to the Civil Engineering Complaints Office through Customer Services on 044 801 9262/6, from 07:45 to 16:30, or register complaints on the Municipal App, My Smart city app

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