| City pumps up security at more sewer stations | City pumps up security at more sewer stations | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/City%20news.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <p>The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate surpassed its 2023/24 financial year goals for improving security at sewer pump stations. A total of 38 pump stations were upgraded, exceeding the planned 30 stations, with an overall investment of almost R53 million. </p> | <span>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Completing these security upgrades is a significant milestone in safeguarding the City's essential infrastructure from the ongoing challenges of vandalism and theft. </p>
<h4>Previous incidents at pump stations which led to disruptions in operations included:</h4>
<ul><li>
<strong>June 2022:</strong> The Northshore sewer pump station in Harbour Road, Hout Bay was vandalised, causing extensive damage to cables and electrical systems. This led to sewer overflows affecting nearby marine environments.</li><li>
<strong>May 2022:</strong> Wallacedene sewer pump station was torched by arsonists, leading to operational disruptions due to flooding on site and along the interlinked sewer network throughout Wallacedene.</li><li>
<strong>August 2021:</strong> Vandalism at the Site B sewer pump station in Khayelitsha caused major damage, leaving 8 000 households without proper sewage services. Some R6 million was spent to get it operating again.</li></ul>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/WhatsApp%20Image%202024-10-10%20at%2012.26.09.jpeg" alt="" style="width:794px;" /> </figure></span>
<p>The security upgrades now implemented range from high perimeter fencing to the installation of steel doors, burglar bars and security guardhouses on site. Each site was individually assessed and solutions put in place based on the needs of each pump station.<br><br></p><p>The facilities retrofitted with new and improved features are located in various areas across the city including: Dunoon, Wallacedene, Koeberg, Goodwood, Wesbank, Belhar, Mfuleni, Crossroads, Faure, Elsies River, Rugby, Diep River, Kuyasa and more.<br></p><div><p>‘Sewer pump stations have a critical role in conveying sewage from our properties to wastewater treatment facilities. Controlling access and tightening up security measures ensures that they function optimally, reducing sewer overflows, which result from incidents where pump station infrastructure is tampered with.<br></p><p>‘We are focussed on securing these sites because unfortunately, our pump stations are targets for vandals and thieves. Residents can also help by being our eyes and ears, reporting any information about criminal incidents or attempts when they occur, so that it can be investigated.<br></p><p>In addition to the upgrade project, other enhancements to security systems were done, such as installing CCTV cameras at seven pump stations and encasing inverters in steel cages at eight locations,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.<br></p><p>The City is dedicated to continuously improving and investing in critical infrastructure projects, that ensure operational sustainability for the benefit of all residents.<br></p><p>
<strong>Caption:</strong> Fencing of a pump station upgrade.<br></p><p><strong>
End</strong></p></div> | 2024-10-09T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d | | | | | GP0|#42305b06-67ec-4657-9272-641a0ea14201;L0|#042305b06-67ec-4657-9272-641a0ea14201|water supply;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#9ec00710-0e93-47e8-a809-b4c816bff3fa;L0|#09ec00710-0e93-47e8-a809-b4c816bff3fa|sewer pipe;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |
