The City’s Water and Sanitation team is working continuously to ensure that sewer overflows are minimised as much as possible, including using mobile pumps as far as possible where these are available. However due to the scale of vandalism pump shortages are common, and pump stations must sometimes run on reduced capacity until permanent repairs can be completed. This unfortunately creates a higher chance of sewer overflows, especially when it rains.
Normal operations to clear sewer blockages are also ongoing.
“The City urges anyone who has any information regarding the vandalism incidents to please report it to the SAPS as soon as possible, so they can investigate. We need the community to be our eyes and ears as we cannot afford to see service delivery to vulnerable communities hijacked by a few opportunistic criminals,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste, Alderman Xanthea Limberg.
Read: R6 Million Repair Work at Vandalised Site B Pump Station on Track
Tampering, theft and vandalism of essential electricity infrastructure, is seen as a priority crime due to the extremely negative impact on the rights of communities, and as per Section 2 of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act (Act 18 0f 2015), imprisonment not exceeding 30 years and fines not exceeding R100 million are possible, when found guilty.
Report vandalism and log service requests
To report vandalism in progress, call:
- 107 from a landline
- 021 480 7700 from a cellphone
- the local SAPS.
Report vandalism damages, sewer blockages, missing drain covers, burst pipes, leaks and water wastage using one of the following channels (Please provide the street address, and get a reference number):
- Online www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests
- Email water@capetown.gov.za
- SMS 31373 (maximum 160 characters. Standard rates apply)
- Call 0860 103 089
- Visit a City walk-in centre (see www.capetown.gov.za/facilities to find the one closest to you)
Residents can help prevent sewer blockages and overflows
Generally (avoidable) blockages remain the primary cause of sewer overflows:
- Residents are reminded they can help prevent such sewer blockages and overflows by disposing of unwanted materials using the appropriate solid waste collections services.
- Only human waste, toilet paper and grey water should be disposed via sinks and toilets in their homes and communities. It is illegal for residents to place any another materials into the system because it causes overflows due to blockages.
- If residents have any recyclables, electronics, garage waste and builder’s rubble that they need to dispose of, please make use of the City’s drop-off facilities.
More information is available here: https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/City’s%20water%20and%20sanitation%20teams%20clear%20122%20000%20sewer%20blockages