Council has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling sewer-system challenges, but officials emphasise that technical solutions have limitations when residents misuse infrastructure.
“Infrastructure alone cannot prevent blockages caused by incorrect disposal of materials into the network,” said Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee member for Water and Sanitation, highlighting how improper waste disposal undermines even well-maintained systems.
The response addresses two sewage crises reported in the Helderberg region. In Somerset West sewage flowed down Victoria Street opposite Garden Village near the N2 intersection for consecutive days, forcing motorists and pedestrians to navigate contaminated water. This recurring problem intensifies during summer months, creating severe health risks and unbearable odours.
Sir Lowry’s Pass residents along Brinkhuis Road, Eden Crescent and Barnabas Shaw Road claim they face weekly sewage flooding that blocks street access and property entrances. The most recent incident occurred on Tuesday 18 November.
“We’ve been battling this problem for years and have maintained an email trail since 2016, complete with photographs documenting our complaints,” said one Brinkhuis Street resident.
“Some days the stench is so overwhelming that we can’t even open our windows. We’re forced to drive and walk through sewage just to access our own properties. The situation has become so notorious that our street has earned an embarrassing sewage-related nickname in the community.”
Badroodien confirmed the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is aware of recent incidents and has deployed teams to both areas. “Our records show all reported incidents have been resolved within service-level agreements, except for an outstanding blockage at 58 Brinkhuis Street, which teams are currently addressing.”
He acknowledged that recurring blockages around Brinkhuis Street are primarily caused by foreign objects being disposed of into the sewer network.
“The sewer line passes through an informal settlement. Our field observations show this section experiences the highest number of blockages. Improper waste disposal remains the primary factor.”
For areas requiring infrastructure upgrades, permanent interventions depend on budget availability and must follow standard project phases.
Where blockages result from system misuse, long-term solutions focus on ongoing education, enforcement and operational interventions.
The City’s response system immediately routes all logged sewer overflows to depots, with teams dispatched to clear blockages, contain overflows and restore service. Specialised cleansing teams then disinfect affected areas.
Proactive measures include regular sewer cleaning through jetting and bucketing methods, manhole inspections, removal of illegally disposed materials, and community education programmes.
Badroodien stressed that lasting solutions require community cooperation. “Residents play a crucial role by using the sewer system correctly, avoiding disposal of cooking oil, sanitary products, nappies and other foreign objects that cause blockages,” he pointed out.
๏ฎ Residents are implored to report issues via the City’s Call Centre, WhatsApp, online portals or mobile app, which generate unique service-request numbers for tracking.
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