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Urban Waste Management helps with flood prevention

27 June 2022

City cleansing teams remove tonnes of litter to reduce possibility of stormwater blockages that lead to flooding during rainy season

In total, over 13 000kms of street surface was cleaned, 4200 km of which was done by the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) appointees for the City’s winter readiness programme. In addition, since January 2022, more than 1950kms of road surface was mechanically swept. 

Intensified efforts to remove littering and dumped waste that could contribute to stormwater blockages have been continuing since May with the rollout of additional resources as part of the Winter Readiness programme. This has involved an appointment of 840 EPWP workers, as well as a further 1160 focusing specifically on 21 dumping hotspots throughout the City.

These services improve the general state of our communities and turn Cape Town into a place where residents can live healthily, the work helps to prevent stormwater blockages as well as the flooding and disruption this causes. 

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‘It is very important to try and raise awareness of all the lesser-known consequences of littering and dumping. Many residents don’t understand the link between these actions and flooding of our communities and busy roads. The City is doing its part to try and prevent this problem, but currently, there is just too much littering and dumping.

‘Please keep in mind that when you drop that packet or stompie on the street, the next rainfall will wash that into the drain where it will either flow out to our wetlands or the sea, or it will cause a blockage that could flood a road or people’s homes. Rather keep the waste on you until you can find a bin,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg. 


To report illegal dumping and/or if you have the culprit's vehicle registration number and/or can identify him/her please contact the following channels. 

To notify the City about dumping that needs to be cleared please, call 0860 103 089. 

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office