Removal of 'inappropriate materials' from costing CoCT R170m

CAPE TOWN – The City of Cape Town on Sunday, June 14th, 2011 at 8:00 pm in the afternoon. "Ovens, sheep heads, garden chairs, tires, cloth, car engines, lawnmowers, nappies, and rope", in sewers. 19659002] Operations to remove "inappropriate materials" from the sewer system, R170 million a year to address, mayoral committee member for informal settlements, water and waste services; and energy Xanthea Limberg said.

"Materials such as ovens, sheep heads, garden chairs, tires, cloth, car engines, lawnmowers, nappies and rope, among others, should not be dumped in the sewers. the metro, which causes blockages and overflows which place the health of our environment and communities at risk.

"It also wastes City of Cape Town resources that could rather be used to extend our services to our communities. It is also unpleasant and inconvenient, to say the least, for those who have the effects of sewer blockage, "Limberg said.

The city's sewer cross-linking system operated under tremendous stress because it was being misused, The number of reported blockages and overflows has been steadily risen over the previous two years, from an average of 293 per day in 2015/16 to an average of 330 per day in 2017/18.

drought and water restrictions, the primary cause of the wastewater of the sewerage system, she said.

"In terms of Wastewater and Industrial Effluent By -law no person m ay discharge substances into a municipal sewer that will interfere with the free flow of sewage. The sewer crosslinking system is only geared to accept toilet waste and sink / basin / bath waste.

Common causes of blockages include rags, nappies, tampons and sanitary pads, wet wipes, condoms, general litter, building materials, and the build-up of cooking fat or oil.In the case of cooking oil or fats, when these substances are poured or flushed down your sink or drain, they harden (19659002) "There is often an incorrect perception that is recurring to be broken down. maintenance, but I can badure you that this is hardly ever the case. The city can not take this challenge on its own. We call to our residents to help us to overcome this problem. We could not do it without you, "she said.

Missing or stolen manholes could also increase the chances of blockages and overflows, they could act like a magnet for illegal dumping and litter. As soon as possible.

"The city calls on residents to report sewer overflows, blockages, and those who transgress the Wastewater and Industrial Effluent By-law by contacting the call center on 0860-103-089 or sending an SMS to 31373 (max 160 characters) or a WhatsApp to 063-407-3699. Residents can also send an email to [email protected] "

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African News Agency (ANA)