Matjhabeng Local Municipality has intensified efforts to tackle persistent raw sewage spillages in Welkom, responding to long-standing complaints from residents about deteriorating sanitation infrastructure.

On Tuesday, municipal officials, together with the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), conducted an inspection of ongoing intervention projects, including a major sewer repair at the corner of Blesbok and Anderson streets in St Helena. The area has been severely affected by sewage overflows, posing health and environmental risks to nearby businesses, schools, shopping centres and residents.

Executive Mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha said the intervention follows a request by the municipality for national government support after assessments revealed widespread damage to sanitation infrastructure.

According to Khalipha, more than 54 pump stations and 11 wastewater treatment plants were found to be dysfunctional, prompting the municipality to seek assistance from DWS.

The department has appointed contractors to replace a collapsed section of sewer pipeline caused by an ageing sanitation network. Municipal officials reported that the project is already 40% complete, with excavations undertaken and parts of the pipeline replaced.

The repair work is expected to be completed by August 2026, a milestone that officials believe will permanently eliminate sewer spillages in the affected area.

DWS also urged residents to avoid flushing foreign objects such as rags, newspapers and hairpieces down toilets, warning that blockages contribute significantly to overflowing manholes and place additional strain on municipal resources.