City unpacks impact storm has on roads and stormwater system
12 July 2024
Over the past week, the City’s Roads and Stormwater teams have worked around the clock to alleviate the flooding caused by the unprecedented amount of rainfall experienced in Cape Town since Sunday, 7 July 2024. The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas accompanied the teams in Dunoon; Elsies River; Khayelitsha, Ravensmead; Uitsig and Cravenby this week to see first-hand what residents were experiencing and the extent of the damages caused by the flooding.
'The storm we have faced this week, the volume and intensity of the rain is what has caused the damage across the metro and in some areas, this was exacerbated by the continued unlawful dumping and illegal building over City infrastructure. The low lying areas especially are experiencing flooding as the ponds, canals and other drainage is so full due to the ongoing rainfall that the water can't move through the system. Hence, water accumulates in the roadway, as it functions as a conduit for water during such events. With the current heavy downpours our outlet channels and stormwater ponds are overtopping and the runoff has been so excessive which is why properties in some areas were flooded this week.'
'Mop up operations continue across the metro and the localised flooding cases have either been resolved or are being managed. I know a lot of work was under way in Macassar, Hanover Park, Gugulethu, Lotus River and various locations between Bishops Court and Rondebosch East this morning. In our informal settlements, I am aware that the teams assisted with milling and sand in Barcelona, Kanana and Vygieskraal amongst others today. The residents and teams working on the ground have faced great challenges during the rain events this week and I thank everyone for their efforts and the resilience displayed while facing these dire circumstances,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.
Quick facts about Cape Town's roads and stormwater system:
- The stormwater network is designed to ensure that rainfall is accommodated and flows in underground piped systems from residential areas to rivers and then to the sea.
- The City maintains the stormwater system throughout the year. Annual cleaning takes place by means of a winter preparedness programme where stormwater inlets, outlets, catchpits, canals and piped systems are cleaned from February to December each year. The city's drains are cleaned on a continuous basis throughout the year. In addition, "hotspot" areas are identified in all districts which are then inspected and cleaned regularly.
- Proactive Maintenance of the City's Roads and Stormwater infrastructure is done by the following means:
- Mechanical Cleaning – cleaning all underground pipes by jet and vacuuming cleaning
- Labour Intensive Cleaning – cleaning all catchpits, ponds and open streams
- CCTV & visual inspections of stormwater underground pipe systems
- Rehabilitation of the underground pipe system
- Repairing the existing stormwater infrastructure
For all Roads and Stormwater service delivery queries or complaints contact call 0800656463; email transport.info@capetown.gov.za or SMS 31373 (no more than 160 characters)
Do the right thing by reporting blocked stormwater infrastructure, illegal dumping and potholes:
Together, we can keep our city safe and resilient this winter.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
