A community update of the progress on the long term plans for the Trappies bulk sewer line in Strand was issued by the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate last Wednesday (17 July).
The update outlines that the municipality reviewed and appointed the professional service providers (PSP) last month, who are now planning the works for execution.
It was also stated that work is anticipated to start later this year, pending contractor appointment, and is expected to conclude within 12 months.
As a result of rapid deterioration and frequent collapses, emergency repairs have been necessary on the Trappies bulk-sewer line, and this project aims to provide a long-term solution by upgrading the infrastructure.
Over the past few weeks, consistent rain has resulted in sewage discharging once again into the Lourens River, much to the dismay of beach users.
“It is obvious that Trappies is overwhelmed by water ingress as numerous manholes overflowed during the rains and caused several pollution incidents,” a beach user representative stated. “The litter washing down Lourens River and especially the Soet River is deeply problematic.”
He added the Water and Sanitation Directorate had been informed of this, but to date there had been no indication it would be mitigated.
With Strand’s “sinkhole season” now in full swing two new sinkholes have been reported in De Villiers Street and another in Fagan Street just this week.
A local engineer with knowledge of the issues stated all the sewers in Strand North join Trappies before crossing the Lourens River.
“Pipes are standing full and under pressure conditions that will cause further collapses,” he pointed out, adding that Herschelle Street showed signs of significant subsidence along the sewer line in the middle of the road. “This may be a sign of a collapsed sewer.”
A group of concerned residents are scheduled to meet with Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee member for Water and Sanitation, to discuss potential short term solutions to the problem and ideas on how to fast track the Trappies Project on Wednesday 24 July.
In terms of the condition of Strand Pump Stations, the City stated that “despite the recent severe weather conditions, which resulted in increased water levels and temporary challenges at some stations, there are no major concerns at this time”.
