Cape Town - The City says it is doing everything possible to mitigate sewer spills affecting some False Bay coastal areas.
The recent temporary closure of Muizenberg and Fish Hoek beaches highlight the challenges brought about by continued high stages of load shedding on the City’s water and sanitation infrastructure, the municipality said.
The City’s sewer pump stations need electricity to function effectively and convey sewage to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) where it can be treated.
As a means to mitigate the impact of load shedding, larger priority sewer pump stations are fitted with permanent generators as a measure to increase the resilience of sanitation supply systems, maintenance staff are on standby and will use mobile generators to power smaller pumps and all pump stations are fitted with telemetry to help monitor the sump levels of the facilities.
“However, with higher, prolonged stages of load shedding being experienced, sewer spills and overflows are to be expected, despite the contingency measures that are in place,” the City said.
An added challenge is objects like litter, builders’ rubble and fats that end up in the sewer network and block the flow of sewage.
“The City experiences daily challenges with inappropriate objects blocking our sewer network.
“The situation is compounded by load shedding – particularly the sustained higher levels that we have experienced.
“The impact is quite visible, particularly as relates to our coastal areas, at a time when the beach is a very popular destination.
“I think we need to accept that pump station faults can and will occur, given the ongoing load shedding, but I want to assure our residents and visitors that, as a caring City, we address these issues as quickly as possible,” said acting mayor Eddie Andrews.
In the event that a beach is affected, a host of City departments are activated to investigate and respond to the incident, including determining the cause and extent of the impact, and what remedial measures are required.
The City said regular water sampling follows, and the beach will only be reopened until such time as the water quality meets the minimum requirement for recreational activities as determined by the National Water Quality Guidelines.
Report burst pipes, leaks and water wastage using one of the following channels (please provide the street address, and get a reference number):
• WhatsApp 060 018 1505
• Online: www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests
• Email [email protected]
• SMS 31373 (maximum 160 characters. Standard rates apply.)
• Call 0860 103 089
• Visit a City walk-in centre (See www.capetown.gov.za/facilities).
Cape Times