One in every three sewer overflows in Wallacedene, Bloekombos caused by system misuse

17 August 2025

During the 2024/2025 financial year, the City’s Water and Sanitation sewer depot maintenance team attended to 1 270 sewer blockages in Wallacedene and 546 in Bloekombos. The majority were caused by rags, solid waste and other foreign objects dumped in the sewer system or flushed down toilets.

In Bloekombos, 176 (47%) and in Wallacedene, 459 (60%) of blockages were due to foreign objects dumped into the sewer network.

‘The primary challenge is the continued misuse and abuse of the sewer network. Our teams repeatedly find rags, rubble, nappies, tyres, bins and other solid waste obstructing the pipelines. These items should never enter the sewer system,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

Clearing blockages often becomes a frustrating cycle as teams clear one blockage only to be called back days later to fix another. Breaking this cycle requires a joint effort between residents and the City.

To sustainably reduce sewer overflows, repairs must remain intact and the network used responsibly. This means keeping pipes and manholes clear so sewage can flow to pump stations and wastewater treatment plants without obstruction.

‘I want to remind the residents of Wallacedene and Bloekombos about the detrimental impact of misusing the sewer system. Dumping foreign objects into the network not only causes blockages and overflows, but also poses serious environmental and public health risks,’ said Councillor Badroodien.

Future sewer investments

Bloekombos, Wallacedene and Scottsdene have been prioritised for sewer pipe replacements in the current 2025/26 financial year. This is part of a R355 million City-wide programme to upgrade ageing infrastructure and reduce overflows. But infrastructure upgrades alone will not solve the problem if misuse continues.

Ongoing community engagement

On Friday, 8 August 2025, the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s Community Engagement team visited Bloekombos to raise awareness about how small changes in residents’ behaviour can significantly reduce sewer blockages and overflows. As part of ongoing education drives, the team visits different communities across the city to engage residents on the challenges and encourage them to consider viable alternatives to misusing the sewer system as a waste bin.

What residents can do to help reduce sewer overflows:

Don't flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper. Anything else will block the pipes. For more tips, see www.capetown.gov.za/blocked-sewers .
Use the City's solid waste services provided to get rid of your waste, not the drains.
Report sewer blockages and overflows using one of the City's official channels so they can be cleared in a reasonable timeframe.
Report vandalism to the sewage reticulation system and stolen or missing sewer manhole covers.
Use the City's drop-off facilities to get rid of any solid waste. See the City's drop-offs for recyclables: https://bit.ly/3mhagVh

Caption 1: City sewer maintenance crew clearing a major blockage in Bloekombos on 5 August 2025.

Caption 2: Rags and debris pulled from the sewer network during blockage repairs in Bloekombos on 5 August 2025.

Caption 3: Councillor Zahid Badroodien with the City’s Community Engagement team during an awareness drive in Bloekombos.

Caption 4: (Dropbox) Councillor Zahid Badroodien and the Community Engagement team speaking to residents about safeguarding the sewer system.

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office