Johannesburg Water has allocated more than R7.4 million to replace sections of the sewerage network in Ivory Park, Region A, which is prone to blockages.

Region A has in recent years come under immense pressure as a result of increased densification from population growth, among other factors.

Residents have been complaining about the frequency of sewer blockages and spillage into the streets, exposing them to potential health hazard and environmental pollution.

Victor Chewe, Johannesburg Water’s Networks Planning Manager says the objective to replace and upgrade the 5.1 kilometres of sewer network is to improve service delivery and minimise the need for network repairs and maintenance.

He says the project, which started in the 2013-2014 financial year, mainly involves the replacement of sewer pipes with ones with much bigger diameters to increase the system’s capacity in order to meet the growing population density.

“On completion of the project, it is expected that the sewer blockages per kilometre will reduce from current 9.1 in Ivory Park to the City’s average of 4.05, as well as a decrease in the frequency of network repairs and maintenance,” says Chewe.

In addition, Johannesburg Water has called on residents to assist by refraining from throwing items such as stones, clothes, dead animals, bricks and cardboard boxes into sewer drains as this is the one of the main contributors to sewer blockages and spillages.