A Somerset West resident claims a stormwater channel has been blocked for four months, but the City of Cape Town says crews have inspected the site and work is underway.

A resident from Westridge has raised concerns about a silted-up and overgrown stormwater channel near the under-road tunnel in Niel Aggett Park.

He added that despite reporting the issue in May, he has repeatedly attempted to engage the City but the problem has worsened, resulting in stagnant water pools that could lead to potential road flooding and damage to the underground pipes and foundations.

He further alleges that on Monday 13 July, a service crew from the City attended the site after he logged a complaint. The crew acknowledged the problem, photographed it and confirmed that a tractor-loader-backhoe digger would be required to resolve it. Later that day, multiple City vehicles and personnel were observed inspecting the site.

However, on Monday 20 July, he received notification that the service request had been closed, despite no work being carried out. As of Saturday 28 September, the watercourse remains silted and blocked, he said.

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However, the City says work is underway.

Councillor Rob Quintas, Mayco member for urban mobility, said blocked gullies in Quinan Street, where Niel Aggett Park is located, were reported and a depot attended to the service request on 20 July. Three such issues have been reported in the area to date this year. There is currently a backlog of two stormwater infrastructure maintenance requests in the Somerset West area.

He added that the stormwater channel is currently undergoing cleaning and maintenance by the depot and the work is in progress to improve the flow and condition of the channel.

“The City’s current assessment is that the stormwater channel requires routine cleaning and maintenance due to the accumulation of silt, vegetation and other debris in certain sections,” said Quintas.

He explained that the objective is to restore the channel’s flow capacity and minimise the risk of stagnant water accumulating within the system. No structural failure of the underground pipe or road foundation has been identified.

“The City is committed to ensuring that the stormwater system operates optimally and to minimising potential flooding risks,” said Quintas.

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