EXCLUSIVE: Joburg Water admits to pumping sewage into river

The video shows runoff flowing into a river in Fairway which connects to the Klein Jukskei River. 

Joburg Water's Eleanor Mavimbela says it's due to broken water pumps, meant to move the sewage to a nearby plant.

"The Jukskei pump station has four pumps, but only one pump is currently working," Mavimbela says.

When asked whether or not the City was pumping sewage into the Klein Jukskei River, she responded: 

Fairway resident living downstream, John Cochran says the filthy water is stinking up the neighbourhood.

"I've contacted Joburg Water and the ward councillor in the area who was aware of what was going on, but the problems were never sorted out," Cochran says.

It's understood that Joburg Water has been pumping sewage into the river for the past two months. 

However, Mavimbela says it is difficult to confirm.

Joburg Water has since vowed to ensure repairs are effected during the current financial year.

"We have allocated the sufficient budget to renovate the entire pump station to ensure this doesn't happen again. We do understand there is a problem in regards to the pollution. We are trying to mitigate the situation so that it doesn't affect the environment too much," Mavimbela says.