The City of Cape Town would like to assure residents that every effort is being made to ensure the delivery of basic services is done diligently despite the threat posed by COVID-19.

Solid Waste, Water, and Sanitation services are considered to be particularly essential during this time.

Refuse collection, janitorial, cleansing, and maintenance staff will be issued with appropriate personal protective equipment and deployed to the field to ensure that conditions in the City remain sanitary, as far as possible. They have also been advised on hygienic practices and social distancing protocols to be implemented during this time.

Residents are however asked to bear with us as in some cases it may be unavoidable that mitigation measures could affect the efficiency of service delivery.

Furthermore, communities need to play a role by ensuring that illegal dumping is prevented, backyard tenants also have access to basic services, and homeowners have enough bins to contain the refuse generated on their property. If additional bins are required an application can be made online or at the nearest walk-in centre (where additional hygiene and social distancing measures are being put in place).

Refuse collection services update
The City has noted recent concerns being raised around delays in the refuse collection service due to the threat posed by COVID-19. To clarify, delays are due to a pre-existing challenge in the procurement of vehicle repairs, and not due to COVID-19.

The City is working diligently to clear the backlog of repairs and return vehicles to service, and there should be a significant improvement over the next one to two weeks.

We have also procured the services of two private contractors to assist with collections.

Our external service providers have also committed to working extended hours to work on major repairs so that trucks can be released as quickly as possible and continue to reduce the backlog.

During this time:

• Residents are requested to please bring their bins out by 06:30 in the morning, and leave them outside until 21:00 until collected. The City’s Solid Waste teams will continue to work this weekend to clear any backlog which still exists. 

• Excess refuse that cannot fit in the wheelie bins will also be collected until this problem is resolved. Residents are also implored not to resort to illegal dumping if collection delays cause refuse to build-up to the point where it cannot fit in the wheelie bins.

• We ask that residents please practice social distancing and not approach staff members as they go about their duties.

Hand-washing practices
The City is aware that residents may have concerns about the impact on water supply associated with COVID-19 mitigation measures, in the form of intensive hand-washing habits as urged by health experts. One does not need to let the water flow for 20 seconds.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wetting hands with clean, running water, turning off the tap, and applying soap for thorough washing, before rinsing. While mindful consumption of water is still important, the City encourages residents to proceed with diligent hand-washing practises for the benefit of our individual and collective health. Hand-washing uses comparatively less water than other activities and is not expected to pose a threat to water security.

Residents are encouraged to submit service requests using the following channels:

• Call 0860 103 089 (choose option 1 for Solid Waste and option 2 for water-related matters)
• For water matters, please email water@capetown.gov.za or SMS 31373 (max of 160 characters)
• Online www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests
  

Residents should please always remember to take note of the reference number provided.

Numerous resources have been made available to the public regarding COVID-19. These include:

• The NICD Hotline on 0800 029 999 operates seven days a week, 24 hours a day
• The Western Cape Provincial Government Hotline on 021 928 4102
• https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
• https://www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/health
• www.nicd.ac.za
• WhatsApp: 0600 123 456
  

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