WELKOM – Residents of Doorn have reportedly endured recurring sewage spills for years, with raw sewage flowing into streets, parks and pedestrian areas, raising concerns about public health, environmental safety and the condition of the Matjhabeng Local Municipality’s sewer infrastructure.

The spills affect residents, businesses and public spaces, including routes used by children walking to school. Residents are forced to walk or drive through contaminated water, while households and businesses face repeated plumbing costs as they deal with blocked drains and toilets.

The recurring failures in wards 27 and 32 have raised questions about the effectiveness of repairs and whether the affected sewer network is receiving the long-term rehabilitation needed to prevent further overflows.

Recurring failures

Although a contractor has been working on sections of the affected infrastructure, concerns have been raised about the standard and effectiveness of some of the work.

Hennie Breytenbach, a DA candidate, and Gerhard Botha, ward 27 councillor, have conducted several oversight visits and engaged with the municipality regarding the sewer problems. They have called for clarity on the condition of the infrastructure, the work completed and the measures being taken to prevent further failures.

Temporary interventions, including the use of trailer pumps, may help manage emergencies but cannot replace a permanent engineering solution, particularly where sewer infrastructure continues to deteriorate.

The municipality is being urged to provide clear information on the extent of the affected network, repairs completed and still outstanding, expected completion dates, and the quality controls applied to the contractor’s work. A plan to prevent recurring sewage spills is also needed.

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