Plans to address increasing sewer problems are in the pipeline for Strand in the next two years.
This was confirmed by Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis during a visit to the area last Friday (11 November), after being invited to engage with Strand beach and ocean stakeholders on concerns related to the False Bay water quality and aging sewerage infrastructure.
This follows ongoing sewer collapses in Strand North this year, attributed to the ageing Trappies pipeline with resultant spillages into the Lourens River and ocean.
Hill-Lewis brought along an entourage of experts from the various City of Cape Town departments who work with these services daily, including the Water and Sanitation Department and Environmental Department. They met with representatives of the Strand surfing community, Strand Surf Lifesaving Club and Hottentots Holland Beach Sailing Club.
In his address, Hill-Lewis reiterated that nine locations along the False Bay coastline are tested every two weeks and overall data showed water quality was deteriorating. He added that the state of the Trappies sewer line had significantly worsened since 2015 and is now at an advanced state of disrepair, as indicated by the frequent sewer collapses.
“Right now we are conducting emergency repairs, which are temporary, but we have planned an additional investment to conduct major repairs,” he said.
“In March next year, a R25 million project will focus on the northern line, and a larger investment of R100 million will mark the second phase of this project earmarked to start in January 2024. Strand is really getting a big chunk of the City’s drive to address sewerage infrastructure.”
Hill-Lewis promised a significant improvement to the network once the upgrades are complete, but cautioned the overall state of addressing pollution concerns is a complicated one as a result of the high number of informal settlements built alongside rivers and tributaries, such as the Soet River in Strand, which often also affects stormwater ingress.
After the mayor’s address, a question-and-answer session was held with all those present, which touched on pertinent subjects such as the working conditions of and odour emitting from pump stations, the waste water treatment works and a holistic approach to preventing deteriorating water quality, the need for social interactions and awareness drives to enable accountability – as suggested by passionate ocean user Jamii Hamlin.
“It’s heartbreaking to see such high levels of pollution in some informal areas and it’s really the collapse of an ecosystem,” Hamlin said. “We need to address these through education and consumer awareness.”
Those in attendance also suggested the City use Strand lifeguards as part of its response protocol during emergency sewer collapse incidents.
