The municipality’s Water and Sanitation Directorate hosted a public-engagement session to discuss the upgrade of the Geelsloot Ponds in Somerset West on Wednesday 19 June.
Construction is slated to begin in November next year.
The session followed the release of a draft basic-assessment report, which is open for public comment and includes findings from various environmental and technical screenings.
The project, currently in the detailed design phase, aims to rehabilitate the severely eroded Geelsloot stormwater system within the Helderberg planning district. A 2011 stormwater-management report highlighted the need for upgrades across 21 projects within the Geelsloot catchment to mitigate flooding and reduce stormwater volumes downstream.
The upgrade includes several phases:
Project 5 on erf 144 (corner of Dummer Street and Aberdeen Road): The construction of a new stormwater detention pond, rehabilitation of channels and various site enhancements, including a circular pathway and upgraded stormwater culverts.
Project 6 on erf 306 and 143 (Aberdeen and Stella roads): The establishment of a new detention pond and pathway, with soft landscaping.
Project 7 on erf 142 (between Jakaranda Street and Aberdeen Road): Channel repairs, widening, and velocity reduction measures, along with connecting pathways and landscaping.
Project 14 on erf 7288 and 9059 (between Hoëveld and Fraser roads): The creation of three in-line detention ponds, a parking area and pathways linking multiple roads.
The initiative adheres to the Liveable Urban Waterway principles, promoting climate-resilient waterway designs and green infrastructure. The project team comprises experts across multiple disciplines, ensuring a comprehensive approach to environmental management and urban planning.
Despite potential temporary inconveniences during construction, the project is expected to enhance local aesthetics, reduce flood risks, improve water quality, and bolster public safety and economic stability. Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee member for Water and Sanitation, stressed the long-term benefits for residents, particularly in light of past flooding incidents.
