There seems to be no end to the prevalence of sinkholes in Strand, exacerbated by rainy weather leading to further breaks and sinkages in various parts of Strand North.
“This is the fourth time in four years a sinkhole has formed in the exact spot, and each time it gets bigger,” a resident of Strand complained. “This is a safety concern. How many times does the City have to fix it before it gets it right?”
The sinkhole in question, on the corner of De Ruyter and Fagan streets, occurred two weeks ago and widened further during the rains that followed.
Another sinkhole occurred in Joubert Street, just a hundred metres away, and another occurred a week ago in the middle of the road on the corner of Young and De Villiers streets.
A local engineer stated regular sewer blockages occur due to the overflowing Trappies Outfall Sewer, which compounded the problem.
“A sinkhole near the river does not help,” he said, referring to the sinkhole at De Ruyter Street, adjacent to the Lourens River.
“When it rains now there is discharge from the river flow into the sinkhole.” He explained this results in a high level of sewage inside the Strand North sewer system and the bulk lines, which could explain the occurrence of more sinkholes in the vicinity due to increased pressure.
This also results in more overflowing sewage manholes, which then flood the street and sometimes mixes with waste.
According to Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayco member for water and sanitation, the hole on the corner of De Ruyter and Fagan streets is, in fact, not a sinkhole.“There is a leak on a water main pipe that caused the soil around the pipe to wash away and create a trench around it,” he said. “This matter is being attended to.”
Badroodien clarified the cause of this incident as being a leak from the water-main line, which was being repaired, and the water coming from the leaking pipe was clean water, not wastewater or sewage.”
As for why sinkholes were occurring at this specific spot so frequently, Badroodien explained ageing pipe infrastructure experienced leaks more often than new pipes, and the City was prioritising the installation of new pipes in hotspot areas.
“The contractor has been busy repairing the leak, but due to the heavy rains experienced over the past few days the contractor could, unfortunately, not continue, but will resume as soon as weather conditions allow.”
Regarding the sinkhole in Joubert Street, Badroodien said the collapsed 900 mm diameter sewer pipeline had been repaired and the next step was for the affected part of the road to be reinstated, which would be done in the shortest time frame possible.
Broken blocks of kerb, tar and rags, which caused a blockage on the line, were removed so repairs could take place.
“The City’s water and sanitation team thanks residents for their patience while work is underway and regrets any inconvenience caused at this time,” said Badroodien.
He added that the City had been rolling out various measures to clear the sewer network in various areas ahead of, and during, the winter season.
