A resident of Lewes Street in Somerset West has been battling a persistent sewage issue for over a decade, caused by a collapsed sewer pipe outside 14 Lewes Street.
The problem has led to repeated blockages and spillages, creating a significant health hazard. The collapse has even caused an electrical box to sink into the pavement due to soil subsidence.
The long-time resident Kevin Cummins said sewage spills into the street, stormwater drains and his property. “This is a serious health hazard!”
He claims the matter remains unresolved despite numerous reports to the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Department.
A case logged on 9 May 2024 was closed within five hours, yet no assistance was rendered for a week. This occurred after jet cleaning of the collapsed line pumped sand further down, blocking sewer line running through his property. It was eventually attended to on 17 May, without any disinfection at the site. Voice notes from a previous resident corroborate the long-standing nature of the problem.
Cummins said temporary fixes have only worsened the situation. “Instead of replacing the infrastructure, they’ve relied on short-term solutions,” he said.
He also criticised municipal decisions, noting that a Land Use Management objection flagged the failing infrastructure, yet a luxury high-density development was approved on the same site. “The sanitation report even states the infrastructure is adequate!”
The issue has impacted the community, with residents and children exposed to health risks. Cummins is calling for the sewer line to be permanently replaced. “In a province that claims ‘it works,’ [residents] should not be experiencing these unacceptable service delivery issues,” he said.
On enquiry, Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee member for Water and Sanitation, said the service request was logged on 9 May 2024 and a team unblocked the line and disinfected the area on 17 May. He attributed the blockage to sand accumulation and root ingress, noting only two service requests in five years.
Badroodien said the sewer network has sufficient capacity for normal household flows, but recurring overflows are caused by vandalism, tampering with manholes and foreign objects in the system. He added that long-term upgrades form part of the City’s planning, but repeated vandalism undermines rehabilitation efforts. “Protecting critical sanitation infrastructure is essential for reliable service delivery,” he said.
. Report sewer overflows via WhatsApp (060 018 1505), online (www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests), email (water@capetown.gov.za), SMS (31373), call 0860 103 089 or at a City walk-in centre.
