The City’s Executive Mayor Alderman Dan Plato and Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste Alderman Xanthea Limberg, on 22nd August 2021, visited Site B pump station, which was severely vandalised in February, to see the progress on site, which includes repairs and security upgrades. This is one of 32 sewage pump stations that have been vandalised since the start of last financial year.
Sewage pump stations are an important part of the sewer network. The majority of the system works on gravity, but in cases where the sewage must flow uphill, pump stations maintain the flow to wastewater treatment plants.
“We are pleased to see the progress that has taken place at Site B pump station in Khayelitsha to get it operating again as it is being refurbished, with enhanced security measures, at a cost of nearly R6 million. It services about 8 000 households in Site C and a part of Site B. Some of the upgrades installed include a security camera system, concrete fencing, an alarm system, guard house with a guard, and physical repellent system. Contingency measures to keep the system operating while reconstruction is underway have involved over-pumping services, at a cost of around R1,7 million, to minimise overflows since the facility was gutted by thieves. Work on site is expected to be completed in October. We thank the community for their patience while work was being done,” said the City’s Executive Mayor Alderman Dan Plato.
Read: Mop-up operations underway following hydrogen blast at Eskom’s Medupi power station
The pump station had to be completely reconstructed because it was so severely vandalised in February, that it could not function resulting in major overflows and blockages in the network.
Unfortunately, in Cape Town this is not an isolated incident. A total of 32 City sewage pump stations have been affected by theft and/or vandalism since the start of the last financial year. Details are as follows;
- 17 of the pump stations in Dunoon, Bishop Lavis, Thornton, Joe Slovo, Elsies River, among other areas, have been repaired.
- Other pump stations are either not working, or are having to run on borrowed or mobile pumps. These include Philippi West, Heinz Park, Vukuzenzele in Philippi and Bloekombos.
- Recently the power supply and pump cables were stolen at the Belhar pump station, which was built about five years ago. Electrical equipment and cables were stolen at Ravensmead pump station.
- Inspections to determine the scope of work and possible costs to repair vandalised pump stations are taking place. It is however estimated the City could need about R60 million for repairs, refurbishments and security upgrades at the vandalised pump stations.
Call to action
The City condemns these actions of theft and vandalism in the strongest terms. The knock-on effect of pump station vandalism is immense. The true cost of vandalism is more than just the repairs.
Pump station vandalism contributes to sewer overflows and affects healthy living environments for our residents. It also impacts on City budgets as resources meant for other projects are reallocated to repair the and cover the operating costs until the repairs have taken place.
‘Vandals and thieves really need to be brought to book for the damage they are causing to vital infrastructure and the negative impact their behaviour is having on our communities,’ said Mayor Plato.
