The City continues to replace sewer drain manhole covers that pose a risk to public safety and become the gateway for foreign objects to enter the sewer system, damaging pipes and leading to blockages.

Many covers are reported stolen or damaged due to vandalism, with a costly replacement value, much of which can be mitigated through public awareness and behavioural change.

During winter, missing drain covers add pressure on operations and increase call-outs. Excess rain floods the sewer network, which increases the probability and frequency of overflows.    

'It's important for the public to be aware that replacing vandalised or stolen manhole covers puts a strain on the City's financial resources, and causes delays in rendering services as maintenance demands amplify. Each act of criminality diverts valuable time and funding away from daily essential services,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

Several factors affect the total cost per job, taking into account whether it requires just replacing a cover or completely reconstructing the manhole frame.

'Replacing manhole covers is essential to ensuring public safety for vehicles, pedestrians and infrastructure integrity. It also improves the reliability of our sewer systems, reducing unwanted experiences of sewer overflows on streets, resulting from blocked drains caused by illegal dumping through open manholes.