Media statement 21 November 2023
Cllr Ziyanda Zwane
MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management
The City of Tshwane is pleased to report that, following major refurbishments, Erasmia Pump Station is finally operational and has full-time security on guard.
The challenges at the pump station date to August 2021 after a complaint was raised by Erasmia residents regarding sewage-contaminated water flowing into the Hennops River due to the pump station overflowing after many years of vandalism. This negatively impacted emerging farmers on the riverbanks who relied on the river to irrigate their crops.
City of Tshwane Environmental Management Inspectors, also known as “Green Scorpions”, attended to this complaint and found that most of the infrastructure of the pump station had been stolen, resulting in sewage overflow that caused high levels of stagnated sewage sludge all around the pumphouse, with very bad odours.
Furthermore, the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment and the Department of Water and Sanitation also intervened in the matter to try and find a solution to the unlawful discharge of sewage into the Hennops River, which has caused significant harm to the environment and the river.
The City appreciates all the stakeholders and the Erasmia community who have worked with us to ensure that the pump station is operational again.
Enquiries:
Dr Pimelo Ngidi