“The Lourens River Flood Alleviation Project is a top priority for the City, as it aims to mitigate against the impact of flooding for the safety of residents and businesses in areas of Strand and Somerset West.”
So said Zahid Badroodien, Mayco Member for Water and Sanitation, following a recent information session hosted for affected communities on the progress of the R44,5 million project ahead of the winter season.
The directorate, with the Lourens River Catchment Management Forum, welcomed residents and interested individuals to give a presentation, providing an update on the work being done as part of the Lourens River Flood Alleviation Project on Thursday 15 February.
“The success of the major infrastructure projects undertaken by the Water and Sanitation Directorate depend critically on public meetings and interactions of this kind,” said Badroodien.
“Care is taken to ensure work is completed in a sustainable manner with minimum impact to the natural environment.”
Since 2001 the City has invested in a number of initiatives already implemented along the Lourens River. River banks have been reconstructed, alien vegetation clearing was ongoing, and replanting of indigenous vegetation had priority.
The phase of work currently undertaken focuses on the upgrade and maintenance of a portion of the Lourens River, spanning a distance between Hathersage Farm in Somerset West and Beach Road, Strand. This phase encompassed the development of new flood-mitigation measures as well as the restoration of pre-existing measures and river infrastructure, spanning a distance of 6 km.
The scope of work in this phase includes:
- The construction and rehabilitation of new as well as of existing gabion baskets or mattresses along the river. These act as protective barriers against erosion and help to maintain the stability of soil and structures in areas prone to erosion or instability;
- Building earth berms and erosion-preventing blocks, as well as concrete/brick retaining walls;
- Refurbishment of the existing stormwater pump station;
- Relining existing concrete pipes with HDPE pipe
The Lourens River catchment covers an area of 130 km originating from the Diepgat Ravine, which flows through Somerset West before entering False Bay in Strand.
The full length of the Lourens River was declared a Protected Natural Environment in 1997, making it one of only five rivers with such protection status in South Africa.
The river is prone to severe flooding due to the Helderberg basin’s mountainous surroundings, local rain patterns and exposed mountain slopes. This was particularly evident during the 2013 and 2023 floods, which affected communities living in Somerset West and Strand tremendously.
