A Paradise Beach resident has raised concerns about persistent flooding and standing water. He warned of risks to road safety, public health and property values.

Bert Bornman, who holidayed in Paradise Beach for 30 years before settling there eight years ago, said heavy rainfall had worsened drainage problems.

He questioned why the municipality had not addressed the issue sooner.

Bornman said he contacted the mayor’s office after water levels rose. The office referred him to MMC for Civil and Water Services, Cllr Reinhardt Foley. Foley undertook to send a team to inspect the affected areas.

Municipal spokesperson Monique Basson confirmed that municipal teams conducted weekly inspections to monitor water levels. They also assess possible damage to public and private properties.

“The current water levels observed on and around the aerodrome indicate that the underlying water table is fully recharged, to the extent that groundwater is reaching the surface,” Basson said.

She said the municipality had dug temporary drainage furrows to move excess water. This reduces the risk of damage to nearby infrastructure and properties.

Bornman said standing water had collected near a church close to Johan Muller Boulevard and around the Paradise Beach aerodrome.

He also raised concerns about increasing numbers of mosquitoes and midges.

Drainage concerns amid development

Bornman questioned whether the existing stormwater infrastructure could cope with continued development in the area.

He alleged that someone had filled in a drainage channel about two years ago to make way for a new development. The channel had previously carried excess water towards the river.

However, Basson said the municipality had no information suggesting that any development had obstructed the drainage system and caused the current flooding.

She clarified that the municipality had not approved a proposed development on the corner of Immergroen.

Any future application would have to meet stormwater management and sewer infrastructure requirements. This would be part of the assessment process, she said.

Basson said the municipality’s Stormwater Master Plan already identified Paradise Beach as an area prone to flooding.

She attributed the problem to the area’s low-lying topography, which slows natural water runoff. A high water table following heavy rainfall also contributes to the issue.

The municipality was also awaiting guidance from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). It must determine whether the affected area qualified as a wetland.

Basson said the temporary drainage measures were not intended to drain a wetland or permanently change its natural characteristics.

The municipality planned to investigate affordable, long-term solutions through its infrastructure planning and prioritisation. This process will occur during the next Integrated Development Plan (IDP) term.

Previous flooding affected homes

The latest concerns follow flooding in June, when water entered at least four homes along Johan Muller Boulevard.

The municipality temporarily closed the road as a result.

At the time, Kouga Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman said municipal teams were assessing the stormwater system. They were also carrying out emergency work.

Basson said the municipality had since consulted the Department of Environmental Affairs and DWS to determine the way forward.

“A formal report is awaited after a site visit was conducted,” she said.

The municipality said it would continue monitoring the drainage measures and consider further action. This would depend on rainfall conditions and the effectiveness of the temporary interventions.

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