Cleansing teams hard at work preparing for winter
11 June 2024
The City’s Urban Waste Management (UWM) Directorate’s R39 million seasonal Winter Preparedness Programme is under way, helping to reduce flood and pollution risks since 1 May 2024. This programme involves removing litter from gutters that could cause blocked drains if it rains, and prevents waste from washing out to our rivers and oceans.
The UWM Winter Preparedness Programme, spearheaded by UWM's Cleansing Department, runs between 1 May 2024 and 30 September 2024. This work is a top-up to the ongoing cleansing services already provided throughout the year.
Its action plan focusses on reducing flooding and pollution by:
- Removing illegal dumping;
- Street sweeping programmes;
- Litter picking on open spaces, gutters, verges and river banks;
- Installing and servicing street litter bins;
- Washing streets with water tankers;
- Sweeping highways and byways using mechanical equipment
The programme runs from Monday to Friday, for eight hours daily. A total of 1 117 temporary work opportunities have been created, and 26 vehicles have been hired to carry out the work.
'The Cleansing Department's seasonal Winter Preparedness Programme is in full swing preparing various areas across the city for winter. Teams are intensively cleaning litter to prevent the risk of flooding and pollution of rivers and waterways ahead of the rainy season. When it rains, litter gets into our sewer and stormwater networks and can cause blockages, or it gets washed into our waterways where it flows out to the ocean.
'Residents can help support UWM's efforts to reduce the risk of flooding. Please don't litter or dump, rather please use the solid waste services provided to get rid of your waste. Recycling can also assist in reducing potential blockages and pollution. Please see the City's website for guidance on how to recycle in Cape Town, and details for municipal and private recycling services,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg.
See added information on recycling here: capetown.gov.za/work and business/commercial-utility-services/commercial-solid-waste-services/recycling-services
End
Published by:
Media Office, City of Cape Town
