City spends R890 000 on Bokramspruit River maintenance in Ocean View
11 June 2024
The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate commenced with its bi-annual maintenance work on a two kilometre stretch of the Bokramspruit River, which passes through Ocean View.
The Bokramspruit River is 3,5km long and flows from the mountain side above Aries Avenue, Ocean View, to the Atlantic Ocean via Kommetjie Beach.
Work on the river began earlier this month and is being done from Aries Avenue to Slangkop Road (1,5km) and then from Nicholi Avenue to Flamingo Drive (0,5km).
The aim of this continuous river maintenance project is to help prevent residential flooding downstream by clearing overgrown alien vegetation such as reeds and excess grass, litter, and unblocking stormwater infrastructure, especially in anticipation of the upcoming winter season.
Where the river is shallower, winter rains tend to cause the banks to break and flood residential properties and roads.
Work on the Bokramspruit River remains a priority for the City due to the amount of litter that is dumped in the river.
The benefits of regular maintenance include improved water quality, reduced pollution, better hydraulic flow of the river and reduced flood risk, as well as the creation of local jobs and skills development.
For the current financial year (2023/2024) the City has spent R890 000 on various interventions at this river, including emergency flood alleviation. Through this project 170 local residents (from November 2023 to date) were employed to be part of the hand teams to clear alien vegetation and pick up litter.
'Maintenance and rehabilitation of our rivers and waterways across the city, including Bokramspruit River, is of utmost importance especially in preparation for the rainy months ahead.
'City teams have been busy proactively working to help reduce flooding in our river system this winter. They have been cleaning litter traps/ booms, ponds, canals and culverts and monitoring them for additional cleaning where needed to avoid blockages that could lead to flooding. Various means are used to clean depending on the site, such as removing vegetation (including invasive water plants), silt and litter, as well as dredging, which uses excavators and bulldozers to remove accumulated sediment/silt deposits.
'Residents can also help keep Cape Town's rivers and waterways clean by not dumping waste into our river system. Please use waste services provided to get rid of your waste. Let's work together to help prepare our river system for winter,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
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Published by:
Media Office, City of Cape Town
