City tackles excessive fat blocking sewers in Paarden Eiland | City tackles excessive fat blocking sewers in Paarden Eiland | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/City%20news.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <p>For more than a week, the City’s Water and Sanitation teams have been battling to clear excessive fat that has blocked a section of sewer pipes in Paarden Eiland. Operations are continuing on the ground with intensive sewer jetting, among other interventions, until there is a breakthrough to clear the blockage.</p> | <p>Leading up to this excessive fat blockage in Auckland Street, Paarden Eiland, two 250mm rising main sewers were repaired on 14 September 2024. These ran through the same road, stretching from Auckland Street sewer pump station. This pump station had to be shut down to enable the repairs to be done. A total of seven meters of sewer pipes (approximately 1,7 meters deep), were successfully repaired. </p>
<span>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img">
<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/00102c9c-4d0e-4561-944e-7537cdd99ab6.jpeg" alt="" style="width:2534px;" /></figure></span>
<p>
<span>Unfortunately, soon thereafter when the pump station was commissioned again, teams detected that the pump station was still unable to operate at full capacity. This led to a manhole-to-manhole investigation from Auckland Street pump station to the Carlisle Street pump station, where it was discovered that a large section of the sewer line is completely blocked up with excessive fats. </span></p><p>
<span></span></p>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img">
<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/c1220cde-cbbe-4780-b50c-ba8fbc274944.jpeg" alt="" style="width:1900px;" /></figure>‘Businesses are assured that City teams are making every effort to clear this excessive fat blockage in the shortest time possible. It’s not an easy task to etch away through volumes of hardened fat, blocking flow in the sewer pipes.
<p></p><p>‘Operational teams acted quickly once the cause of the blockage was determined. On 25 September, two teams were deployed to attend to the intensive jetting and chemical treatment needed, followed by cleaning to clear up the line. There may be no significant visual improvement at this stage, but these continuous efforts are sure to soon yield results,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.</p>
<span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/5413997a-6a05-4df6-9994-d8cc93f949b7.jpeg" alt="" style="width:2534px;" /></figure></span>
<p>
<span>The City’s Water Pollution Control Unit will simultaneously conduct investigations to determine the root behavioural cause behind excessive fats, being illegally discharged into the sewer lines. All necessary actions and relevant penalties will be applied towards any transgressor(s). </span></p><p>
<span></span></p>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img">
<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/IMG-20241005-WA0002.jpg" alt="" style="width:1900px;" /></figure>‘This incident is an opportunity to remind the public, especially restaurants, caterers and other food suppliers, to do the right thing. Please don’t pour fats and oils down their kitchen sinks, sewer drains or flush them down the toilet. The fatty liquids harden and build up over time, which is the direct cause of blockages like this one in Auckland Street.
<p></p><p>‘Rather pour excess oil into empty containers that once cooled, can be disposed of in the bin for refuse collection. Businesses must adhere to regulations in place for their waste disposal. We cannot win this battle unless we all work together to keep our sewers clear,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien.</p><p>The City sincerely regrets the inconvenience to all affected residents, as we continue to work steadfastly to restore the system to its full functionality.</p><p>Visit
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-utility-services/residential-water-and-sanitation-services/prevent-blocked-sewers">www.capetown.gov.za/blocked-sewers</a> for tips on how residents can help keep our sewers clear.</p><p>
<br>
<strong>End</strong><br></p> | 2024-10-05T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d | | | | | GP0|#901be607-40bd-4c36-a213-4d7c37c0199b;L0|#0901be607-40bd-4c36-a213-4d7c37c0199b|Sewer blockage;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#0b25ade2-d2b1-4077-8d4b-02f26063e473;L0|#00b25ade2-d2b1-4077-8d4b-02f26063e473|Paarden Eiland;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#0c4188de-8fd0-4c65-ad50-f8de6fb0dd9c;L0|#00c4188de-8fd0-4c65-ad50-f8de6fb0dd9c|repairs and maintenance;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |