Several parts of the Cape Peninsula have been inundated with sewage overflow over the past few weeks, a problem not uncommon in the Helderberg, where it was simply exacerbated by the stormy weather.
In Gordon’s Bay several residents as well as businesses in Beach Road and immediate surrounds were affected by a relatively large volume of sewer overflow this week, which saw veritable ponds forming in parking areas and in front of shops.
“The sewage was flowing from Sir Lowry’s Pass Road right down onto Beach Road, looking awful, very unpleasant,” a business owner said. “It was probably the worst we’ve seen in this part of Gordon’s Bay in recent years.”
Harbour Island was also greatly affected by a sewage overflow, which threatened to contaminate its Blue Flag marina and residents reportedly dug a trench themselves to assist in the flow bypassing the waterways.
In Strand, for almost three weeks sewage has overflowed from Scott Street, behind the railway station, and has flowed like a river through the grounds of Strand Magistrates’ Court, where it dammed up at the corner of Main Road and Gordon’s Bay Road.
The cesspool resulted in a stench hanging over the area as cars drove through the sludge, and started receiving attention only over the weekend and repairs were yet to be completed by Tuesday morning (27 June).
Areas of Strand North struggled with several sewer spillages as some stormwater catchpits seemed to become blocked, resulting in sewage permanently ponding in the streets.
The City’s Maycoral Committee member for water and sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, stated this winter had seen heavy rains across Cape Town, which has a major effect on the city’s sewerage infrastructure.
“The combined impact of the heavy rains, which enter the sewerage pipes via open drains or illegal stormwater discharges from private properties to the sewer system, plus illegal dumping into the pipes, cause blockages, all contributing to sewer overflows.”
He added all issues in the Helderberg were being addressed. “The Dennehof Pump Station was flooded due to the high volume of rain water as well as illegal stormwater discharges from private properties into the sewer system, which causes stormwater to make its way into the pump station and cause the pumps to trip. The operational teams are constantly monitoring the pumps.”
Ward 100 Councillor Sean Stacey said the City was working on addressing the issue, finding long-term permanent solutions, referring to its Capital Sewer Projects, including the Gordon’s Bay Sewer Rising Main, where construction of a pump station at the Gordon’s Bay Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW), along with a 7,8 km sewer rising main, will convey surplus sewage to the Sir Lowry’s Pass Outfall Sewer. From there it will go to Macassar WWTW for treatment and disposal. Commencement is expected in February next year and estimated completion is June 2025.
“Together with other projects, the City is spending approximately R390 million on sewer network infrastructure in ward 100 alone for the next few years, which is a hugely impressive amount,” he said.
Ahead of what is expected to be another wet week, the City assured its Winter Preparedness efforts had been ongoing for several months and continue to have a positive impact on the effects of the rains.
