Uitsig sewer pipe replacement under way
26 July 2023
Work to replace and rehabilitate the sewer pipes in Uitsig, as part of the City’s R863,6 million city-wide investment in water and sewer refurbishment, is progressing well despite challenges
The sewer pipe replacement programme taking place in UItsig forms part of the City's commitment to provide resilient infrastructure and help reduce the risks of sewer overflows. This work is being carried out over three major phases.
The first phase under way includes:
- Rehabilitating/replacing the main collector sewers in the area, which includes the 150mm pitch fibre sewer line on Jacaranda Avenue and the 315 mm vitrified clay sewer line in Pansy Crescent.
- Upsizing the main sewer on Jacaranda Avenue from 150 mm to 200 mm in diameter to improve the flow and capacity.
- Upsizing the sewer line in Pansy Crescent from 315 mm to 355 mm in diameter as this sewer line conveys a significant portion of sewage in Uitsig.
The first phase is estimated for completion in the first week in August.
The completion of this project was delayed as a result of several events including four sewer pipeline collapses in Jacaranda Avenue, cable theft - which created an unsafe working environment; and the excessive winter rains.
'We are pleased that this phase of the project is nearly completed, which will ensure that we have more capacity in our sewer network to convey more sewage and to limit the impact of blockages. We appeal to the residents to assist in taking care of this upgraded infrastructure which is constructed for their benefit.
'While the City is serious about investing in our sewer infrastructure, residents also have a role to play in helping to look after it. They can do so by not getting rid of unwanted waste items in their sinks, toilets and drains, which could block the sewer pipes. We need residents to be mindful of how they get rid of their waste because even if the City replaces sewer pipes and increases its capacity, if items such as garden refuse, any metal objects or car parts, oil, pieces of wood, household items like TVs and furniture, building rubble, cooking oil and fats, rags or wet wipes get into the system, they will block the pipes and result in overflows.
'Vandalism of infrastructure such as the damaging and removal of manhole covers for dumping and metal theft also reduces the effective operation of the sewer network thereby increasing the risk to health of both the communities and the surrounding environment. We also want to thank the community for their patience while work is under way,' said the Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Phases Two and Three of this project will follow this work concurrently and will look to replace and refurbish almost 5 000 m of the sewer pipes in Uitsig. These projects are expected to begin at the end of September.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
