Municipal teams are conducting emergency repairs where pipe bursts and sewer collapses occur in an effort to minimise the impact while the long-term rehabilitation of the Trappies Bulk Sewer pipeline in Strand is being implemented.
This major project will rehabilitate a 3,1 km section of the Trappies sewer, from Nazli Street to Hammond Street.
Due to the pipeline’s location, where traditional open-trench methods are not feasible, trenchless technology will be used.
The project will repair the aged sewer line, restoring it to optimal functionality and allowing high sewage volumes to flow without the frequent failures currently being experienced, especially during heavy winter rains when the sewer system is flooded due to stormwater ingress.
A service provider has been appointed to facilitate the rehabilitation on the 900 mm diameter pipe segment, which runs from the Lourens River Sewer Pump Station to Fagan Street, down Joubert Street and De Villiers Street, up until Main Road.
Currently the design and works project documentation are being finalised for work to commence immediately after the tender process is concluded. Work on site is anticipated to begin towards the end of October, with a construction period of about 12 to 14 months. Unfortunately, multiple service disruptions are an ongoing challenge in the area.
This past week the City of Cape Town attended to an incident on the corner of Thompson and Fagan streets. Emergency repairs began on a collapsed sewer last Wednesday night (21 August) when the appointed contractor prepared the site to connect a new 6 m long pipe at the site. The pipe installation was successfully completed on Thursday (22 August).
First the line was isolated by inserting a balloon in the manhole near the work area. Sewage was then over-pumped to the furthest manhole, to prevent sewage flow into the section where the pipe was connected.
Early that morning, the contractor encountered high volumes of water inside the main 900 mm diameter sewer pipe, causing interconnected upstream sewer network pipes to overflow. Further investigations are underway to identify the sources of this water.
By that evening the new pipe was connected and all affected streets were cleaned.
On Friday 23 August, the contractor was back filling the trench. “While the City has robust plans to address the challenges of ageing infrastructure it’s important to note that many sewer blockages and overflows can be prevented through responsible behaviour,” said Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee member for Water and Sanitation.
Illegal stormwater-to-sewer connections and the disposal of rags, electronics and building rubble into the sewer system puts undue strain on the entire network, exacerbating issues. “Our collective and collaborative efforts in reporting incidents and reducing blockages can reduce the frequency of sewer collapses and overflows.”
The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate provides regular updates on the progress of repairs in affected areas and is committed to continuing engagements with the community.
The next community meeting will be communicated to residents once logistics are finalised. For the latest news, email communications.waterandsanitation@capetown.gov.za.
