Spaanschemats River prepped for winter

02 May 2024

The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate started early with preventative flood maintenance on the Spaanschemats River in Constantia. Good progress has been made, well ahead of the rainy winter season. 

The Spaanschemats River spans 5km from Silverhurst Drive to the M3 freeway in Constantia, winding through both public and private land.

The scope of work to clear the river pathway includes collection and clearing of litter, unblocking outlets and mini silt traps, trimming of alien invasive plants and exposure of stormwater infrastructure such as pipes, gabions and headwalls on the boundaries of the river. Much of the work is done by hand, through teams working steadfastly on the ground. 

Following this, machinery will be used to dredge silt, ensuring a smoother hydraulic flow of water, which is especially crucial before the rainy season to reduce flood risks and property damage. The initiative also aims to restore the natural habitat, fostering the return of fauna and flora to the greenbelt area.

In 2023, the City employed manual labour to clear a small section of the river due to a flooding incident. Based on the challenges of this experience, it was determined that further interventions would require the use of heavy machinery and vehicles for best results. 

'This project forms part of the City's proactive river maintenance programme which seeks to improve inland water quality as one of the City's Mayoral Priority Programmes, as well as for flood alleviation ahead of winter rainfall. The City invested R700 000 into this much-needed work in the Spaanschemats River, which is expected to conclude by the end of June 2024. On this project we were able to employ up to 40 locals,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office