City of Cape Town Link

Preparing for winter: Cape Town breaks all-time sewer jet-cleaning record

<p>The City of Cape Town has already jet-cleaned a record 230km of sewer-lines ahead of this winter, far exceeding the raised 200km target for sewer jet-cleaning to help prevent winter flooding. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis joined teams on the ground in Bishop Lavis on Thursday 11 April.<br></p>

<div>Proactive sewer jet-cleaning forms part of Cape Town’s annual winter preparation efforts to mitigate seasonal flooding risks to infrastructure and residents across the metro.</div><div><br></div><div>‘We pledged to do the basics better for residents, and I’m pleased to see our teams break the all-time record for sewer jet-cleaning, with 230km already complete ahead of winter. Over time, we have invested in more sewer-spill response teams and specialised jet-vac trucks, with a record R82m operational budget tabled for sewer jetting and repairs to manholes in the 24/25 financial year.</div><div><br></div><div>‘Our work on the ground this winter coincides with massive increases to infrastructure investments for better sanitation and better dignity for the poor. Overall, 75% – or R9bn – of our record infrastructure budget will directly benefit lower income households in the coming year. This includes SA’s largest bulk sewer upgrade to the Cape Flats line, and a quadrupling of sewer pipe replacement to 100km annually across the metro. With the combined force of all our efforts, we are seeing sewer spills come down by around 30% based on preliminary data,' said Mayor Hill-Lewis.</div><div><br></div><div><span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/A1%20Winter%20preparedness%202024%201.JPG" alt="" style="width:949px;" /></figure></span></div><div>Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation Councillor Zahid Badroodien said proactive jet-cleaning is a vital way of dislodging foreign objects in the sewer system, a key source of winter flooding.</div><div><br></div><div>‘While severe and unpredictable winter storms inevitably do lead to localised flooding, there is a lot we can do as Capetonians to mitigate flooding risk as far as possible. In any given month, we find that easily over 80% of sewer spills are caused by foreign objects, litter, and fats from cooking. We can lessen these human-driven sewer blockages through behaviour change, never littering, and working together to report and stop illegal dumping into the sewer system. The City's investments in jet vacuum trucks is also upping our capacity to remove natural blockages from roots and sand, which cause around 12% of sewer blockages.<br></div><div><br></div><div>‘Technology is playing an increasingly big role in monitoring sewer spills. Proactive jet-cleaning is data-driven, with specialised jet-vac trucks focusing on areas with the highest level of reported flooding complaints for previous winters. </div><div><br></div><div>‘We also have digital early-warning systems for sewer spills installed across the network. To mitigate load-shedding, we have secured most of our critical infrastructure with generators, inverters and UPS. And to make sure everything runs smoothly, we simulate generator switch-overs weekly, and ensure that fuel levels do not drop below 70%,' said Councillor Badroodien.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides proactive sewer jet-cleaning, the City’s overall winter preparations include:<br></div><div><br></div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span><strong>Flooding mitigation through clearing of stormwater drains</strong>, ponds, canals and gullies in flood prone areas by City Urban Mobility teams</div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span><strong>Preventative interventions to warn of flooding risks in areas with high numbers of informal structures</strong>, with Disaster Risk Management teams proactively visiting around 40 high-risk areas to distribute information pamphlets, loud-hail, and in some parts erect signage indicating likely flood areas. </div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span><strong>Informal settlement teams continue to deliver sand and sheeting where feasible </strong>to those who request it as part of City monitoring efforts.</div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span><strong>Support to expand beds at homeless shelters </strong>and City-run Safe Spaces to help more people off the streets</div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span><strong>Making service delivery load-shedding proof</strong>, with a R680m investment over three years in generators, inverters, and UPS, including at all critical water and sanitation network infrastructure. </div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span><strong>Preventing electricity outages by tree-trimming</strong> on public property and encouraging property owners to do the same ahead of winter storms</div><div><br><br></div><div><strong>End</strong><br></div><p><br></p>

2024-04-10T22:00:00Z

GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d

Media Office, City of Cape Town

Cape Town’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) 2017 - 2022

An overview of the City’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP).

Heritage information and resources

Our well-maintained heritage database and preserved heritage records are available to the public in a number of ways.

Walking heritage tours of the city

Tips and resources for you to walk and explore our beautiful city and its unique natural and cultural heritage.

Keep our public places clean

The City provides a number of public cleaning services that you can contact to help keep our public places clean.