Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Health fears over blocked sewers
THE City of Cape Town blames citizens for the blockages of drains across the Metro.
This was explained in response to a complaint of both a sewer spill and storm drain leaking into a canal at Electric City in Eerste River. According to the residents, the canal has been contaminated for a long time as the spill is rarely cleared.
City acting mayco member for water and sanitation Siseko Mbandezi said: “The majority of blockages across the City are caused by the misuse of the sewer system. Our teams regularly have to remove builders’ rubble, nappies and tyres, along with general litter from the system when clearing blockages.
“These blockages are exacerbated by the disposal of cooking fats into the system, which hardens as it cools and acts like glue for the other materials in the line. Residents need to remember that flushing anything other than human waste, toilet paper and wastewater can cause a sewer blockage and overflow.”
In Eerste River, raw sewage is visible in front of Apex School and down Bobs Way towards the Canal Road on to the running water at the back of the residential area. Also, there are sewage drains closer to the canal that directly flows to the water.
Deon Carelse said they feared for their health as they had to cross over the bridge on a daily basis to reach public transport, access the mall or go to nearby facilities.
“We breathe the polluted air and children sneak to play by the canal, not aware of the health risks posed by such filth.
“We have reported the matter a couple of times but no permanent solution has been implemented, and even the repairs take time and effort to happen. Once in a while, the City sends a jet truck to come and clear the area, but the drains break again.
“It’s a matter of poorly built and old infrastructure that clearly needs a replacement. The population has grown bigger and it’s no rocket science to figure it out that the existing infrastructure can’t take the pressure anymore. Yet the City pretends to not know it and find millions of excuses to explain the situation. We need permanent solutions before people get sick,” said Carelse.
Mbandezi said the City was aware of this matter and had been attending to it.
“The City’s Master Plan is designed to provide for available capacity and if that is exceeded, then new bulk services will need to be constructed. The new developments in Eerste River can be accommodated to the existing sewer system.”
Mayco member for community services and health Patricia van der Ross acknowledged the dangers posed by the sewage spills in public spaces.
“There are various health implications associated with overflowing sewers discharged into canals such as contaminated water.”