Residents fed up with overflowing sewage

Mitchell's Plain's Sub-council 12 had about 5.4 sewage blockages or overspills a day between January 2022 and December.

Morgenster and Montrose Park residents are fed up with the consistent sewage overflow, its smell, health hazards and damage to their properties in recent years. 

The matter was raised for the umpteenth time, most recently at the Wolfgat Sub-council's monthly meeting on Thursday May 22.

They discussed the sewage overspills as rains earlier this month caused sewage flooding into resident's homes and whether the municipality was "winter ready" to prevent flooding.

This follows Avron Plaatjies, councillor for Ward 76, calling for an investigation into constant sewer overspills, on January 20.

In his motion, he cites that Sub-council 12, spanning from Mandalay to Tafelsig, had been plagued by persistent overspills.

Earlier this month Morgenster resident Natasha Dreyer wrote to the mayor's office and deputy mayor Eddie Andrew to report sewage flooding at her house for the umpteenth time.

She had alerted Solomon Philander, councillor for Ward 116 who is also sub-council chairman, who submitted a report to the City of Cape Town's water and sanitation directorate on May 19 ("Wat 'n gemors," Daily Voice, May 20). 

The directorate's report to the sub-council dated February 12 investigated the root causes of recurring sewer overspills throughout the area with a specific focus on Watergate, the R300, Mandalay, Montrose Park, Beacon Valley, Eastridge, Tafelsig right down to the sewer pump station and the Morgenster line.

There were a total of 5 946 sewer blockages or overflows recorded (that is C3 notifications) over a three-year period.

They found that 68% of the blockages were caused by "foreign objects"; 13% no cause; 9% fat and the remaining 10% roots, rags, sand, collapse and pump failure. 

Operational teams have had to remove rubble, rags, tyres, sand and other foreign materials. 

"The misuse of the the sewer network compromises the ability of the system to convey sewage which results in recurring blockages and overflows. The foreign objects that are being discharged into the sewer network often results in the malfunctioning of the pump stations, which also leads to numerous overflows within the network," read the report.

On Friday May 23, the Plainsman visited Montrose Park mosque, where when worshippers flushed the toilet, water would come brimming to the top of the bowl; and spoke to residents in Morgenster who said the sewerage infrastructure had to be better maintained or upgraded to address the area’s population growth. 

The stench fetches visitors before they get out of their cars.

"These ongoing conditions pose severe health risks, particularly for our most vulnerable residents, including children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions. 

"The situation is exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure and recurring blockages, which highlight the need for a sustainable, long-term intervention," read the motion.

Mr Plaatjies also listed health implications brought about by waterborne diseases, including cholera, dysentery and hepatitis A.

"The exposure to contaminated water and the accompanying foul odors significantly impact the physical and mental well-being of our residents. Vulnerable communities, often lacking access to immediate healthcare, bear the brunt of these health crises, resulting in unnecessary strain on local clinics and hospitals," read the motion.

He requested a comprehensive investigation into the root causes of the recurring sewer overspills, with a specific focus on Watergate, the R300, Mandalay, Montrose Park, Beacon Valley, Eastridge, Tafelsig right down to the sewer pump station and the Morgenster line; that a detailed plan of action, both immediate and long-term solutions address and prevent spills; that the communities be educated on sewer maintenance best practices and the importance of proper waste disposal; and that clear time lines and milestones are implemented to ensure accountability and transparency. 

In response to Mr Plaatjies' request, the directorate reports on the safety of operational teams and the vehicles working in the area. 

"It requires extensive planning and additional security escorts to deliver the required operational services," read the report

"The regional operations team endeavours to work closely with the Sub-council chairperson and councillors to address the safety challenges in the area in order to complete the required proactive cleaning."

The report repeats the municipality's previous explanations of misuse of the sewer system as a dumping ground for cooking fats; flushed nappies and sanitary products; rainwater gutters flowing into the sewer system, as it overloads the system; and recyclables, electronics, garage waste and builders’ rubble. 

It should only be used for human waste, toilet paper and grey water which should be disposed via sinks and toilets in homes and communities. 

The statistics show that the predominant cause of sewer blockages is related to system misuse rather than the condition of the sewer infrastructure. 

Morgenster resident Madge Roach sent the Plainsman a list of C3 notifications, service requests from residents to the City of Cape Town, reporting sewage overflow. 

“You can’t even open the windows. This is a health hazard. How do you eat as this filth brings flies. You don’t want to come out of your house,” she said. 

Ms Roach said birds feed from the “wetland” and that the overgrown grass blocks the stormwater from flowing and mixes with the sewage overflow. 

Her husband Julian said they complain but the problem reoccurs. 

“The same thing is done time and again. We need a solid plan,” he said. 

The Roach couple live across from a canal which is overgrown with grass, which also overflows and has rubbish dumped. 

Last year they complained several times to the City and to the Plainsman.

Then the City claimed the “Swartklip Road sewer pipeline had being sabotaged”. Prior to that the Plainsman fielded two complaints of the stench and infestation of flies.

The Plainsman also reported on residents being fed up (“Fed up with sewage spills”, Plainsman January 17, 2024; “Morgenster residents fed up with filthy vlei”, Plainsman January 31, 2024).

Since then Ms Roach said not much had been done to improve the situation.

Steven Samuels, a member of Morgenster Service Forum, a non-profit company, said they have been logging residents’ service requests to the municipality. 

Chairman Sean Arief said the sewerage pipes were too small to carry the large volumes of waste and that the system should be rebuilt on the outskirts of the residential area. 

“This is going to cost the City millions of rands to cover the mileage of the problem. Since initial estimates about 15 years ago more people have moved in; more homes have been built and sewage has increased,” he said.

Jacob Joseph, Morgenster resident and member of the National Coloured Congress (NCC), said he received a mandate from the community to say that the City has failed to upgrade the sewer lines and that the strain of backyard dwellers impacts the sewer from Montrose park running down to Swartklip Road.

"We call on the water and sanitation department to act on this matter urgently and give Morgenster community the same services Camps Bay and Sea Point receive," he said.

Mayoral committee member for water and sanitation Zahid Badroodien said these properties were affected when the 600mm-diameter collector-sewer parallel to Swartklip Road was blocked.

The main cause of blockages in this pipeline has been foreign objects that are being disposed of in the sewer system, which then results in the overflows. 

The City’s water and sanitation operational teams responded to the service requests and removed all kinds of foreign material from the line.

The misuse of the sewer network compromises the ability of the system to convey sewerage which result in reoccurring blockages and overflows. 

This is further escalated by vandalism on our infrastructure where manhole covers are being vandalised for illegally dumping and suspected criminal activities, stolen items stored in manholes. 

"The teams installed heavy-duty concrete slabs in some of the manholes to prevent illegal dumping but some of the manholes are higher than the ground level which makes it difficult to place concrete slabs. We are currently using bucket machines to clean the pipeline to reduce the probability of blockages,” he said. 

The City is investigating alternative measures that can be put in place to address this misuse of the sewer network which results in recurring blockages and overflows. 

"Residents are discarding solid waste items such as rags, towels, cutlery, food and wet wipes into the sewage system,” he said.

Mr Plaatjies said they are planning a waste awareness campaign after a public meeting next month. "I'm awaiting dates from Maycos office to attend the public meeting," he said.