Petrol leaks into Vereeniging CBD sewers

Residents of Vereeniging are living in fear after petrol leaked into the town’s sewer system — the most severely affected areas are believed to be Voortrekker and Union streets in the central business district.

It is suspected that an underground fuel tank of one of the four petrol stations in that area is leaking into the sewer system.

“We have requested the petrol stations to furnish us with pressure test certificates to establish which ones have not been complying‚” said municipal spokesman Stanley Gaba.

The municipality received complains from residents on Monday that there was a thick fuel smell in the area. An investigation by the municipality on Tuesday confirmed there had been some spillage into the system.

“We took the water for tests and it was confirmed that there is petrol‚” said Gaba.

He said there was also an unacceptable level of petrol fumes in the air.

“The combustion level is 35% higher than normal‚ and we appeal to residents to avoid starting open fires because that could lead to an explosion‚” said Gaba.

Engineers were busy trying to locate the leaking pipes‚ he said.