Now the Government is to construct, at vast cost, two large new sewers to collect and process all the waste before it enters the river.
During the road construction, new sewer, water, electric and telecommunications lines are being installed underground.
The works also involved a new sewer and installation of underground electrical wiring.
Building on the water is expensive, they said, since it often requires new sewers, roads and pilings.
Nor are the new sewers along the main avenues complete.
"We still need promised street-widening and new sewers in our area."
The new, deep sewer will reduce the reliance on pumping to drain the city.
They're going to put a new sewer into the village, aren't they?
An additional $440 million would be saved over the same period in reduced demand for new sewer and water construction.
Immediately outside they're building a major new sewer.