A severe ongoing sewage emergency has plagued a community in Somerset West for several weeks, and is all part of unprecedented instances of sewage overflows being reported all over the Helderberg.
“This matter requires immediate action due to the health risks it poses to my family, pets and neighbours as well as the environmental impact it is causing,” reads a letter addressed to various City of Cape Town officials by resident Dyani Bergh, in which she unpacks her desperate pleas to council for reprieve from the situation that has arguably impacted her home the most.
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Blocked line
“The sewer line is blocked in Burg Street and then overflows onto our property. The bottom part is now covered in sewage, and we have been forced to dig a trench outside on the pavement to help with drainage, not that it is draining fast enough to lessen the sewage mess in our yard . . . Sewage is now flowing down the road and into the storm water system that flows into Geelsloot.”
The issue first arose on Wednesday 1 May and was logged with a reference number. Despite multiple attempts to address the problem by contacting the City the situation only worsened over time. Additionally, other sewage-related issues in the area, such as blocked sewers at 17 Audas Street and drain overflows at number 19, were brought to their attention.
“The situation escalated further on Sunday 19 May when a new blockage in Burg Street led to another overflow onto our property at 35 Rue de Jacqueline, marked by a new reference number,” the letter continued. “Despite assurances from officials that the issue was being addressed, sewage spills continued unabated.”
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Bergh stated that efforts to clear the blockage proved futile, as the sewage continued to flow freely onto their property, exacerbating health risks. Last Tuesday (28 May), a sewage truck attempted to clear the blockage but the problem persisted, highlighting the urgent need for action from city authorities. “Until the root cause of the problem is addressed, my family and I will continue to endure the health hazards posed by this ongoing sewage crisis,” said Bergh. “The rain compounds the problem and drives the sewage spill over a wider area, but still there’s no help from the City. The situation has progressed far beyond making this an unlivable environment, yet there has been no urgency from the City to address this.”
Several complaints
Correspondence seen from Pierre Maritz, Regional Manager of Reticulation at the City of Cape Town, states the team was still working to clear the blockage and that five additional jet trucks, which will work seven days a week, were contracted in for Area East, which includes Somerset West. “They will be in the area for six weeks, to help deal with the unprecedented number of sewer blockages and overflows we are experiencing. I wish to apologise on behalf of the City for the impact this is having on the people affected by these blockages. We are doing all we can to deal with these matters.”
According to the City’s Mayoral Committee member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, one of the blockages was resolved on Friday 17 May and was caused by sand, rags, blankets, vehicle tyres and other foreign-waste objects in the sewer network.
“The depot is currently dealing with several sewage complaints that are taking time to be cleared. These delays affect the City’s response time. There is (also) a broken sewer pipe at Andries Pretorius and Victoria Street in Somerset West. A quote has been requested from the contractor to start the repairs and is expected to start work soon.”
