Sewage overflow in homes

KNYSNA NEWS - Homeowners in the town are complaining of sewage overflow problems, saying that the municipality is failing to address the problem permanently.

Residents from different areas have made the same complaint and said this was putting their health at risk.

Elmarie Petersen from Bongani said overflow from the main sewage pipe in her yard has been flowing into her house for a year.

The 57-year-old woman said the stench is unbearable. Her furniture has been damaged and she had reported this to the municipality, but has received no help.

This allegedly started last year in April when the sewage water started coming inside the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.

"Now all my rooms are full of sewage water standing at ankle level. We reported it to the municipality [in April last year]. The following day we went to the municipality to complain of the problem.

They confirmed that they had received a phone call about this problem. I asked what they were going to do now?

They said they would send someone to come and see the problem, but nobody came. I phoned the councillor to come and see, but he didn't."

Petersen said that, when she reported the issue of damaged furniture, she was told to get an affidavit at the police station stating that her furniture was damaged.

After this has been done, the municipality said she must get quotations for replacement of the furniture from furniture stores. The quotations were brought back to the municipality, but again, nothing happened.

"My seven-year-old grandson got sick last year because of living in this situation. The municipality people don't understand how this affects our health and well-being. I'm also old now and living in this situation is affecting my health."

Valery Bouwer stays at a property off Curlew Court Flats in Meeu Street. She said there is a stinking sewage overflow on the property that runs into the water drain that goes to the lagoon.