The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is on track with repairing and upgrading sewer pump stations identified in this financial year’s R70 million Pump Station Security Upgrade Programme.The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation Councillor Siseko Mbandezi visited one of the beneficiaries, the recently repaired Boystown sewer pump station in Crossroads that was vandalised in July.

Sewer pump stations are an important part of the 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.

Last financial year, between July 2021 and June 2022, the City already spent R43 million to upgrade and repair 33 vandalised sewer pump stations across Cape Town.

Over this financial year, starting July 2022, the City plans to spend over R70 million on upgrades at more than 30 pump stations. The Pump Station Security Upgrade programme will see the addition of reinforced steel doors, concrete walls, CCTV cameras, guard house and security personnel, among others.

‘The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has already spent R14,6 million since July 2022 on repairing and upgrading seven sewer pump stations in Fisantekraal, Mamre North, Mamre South, Crossroads and Boystown in Crossroads, as well as Grey Road in Table View and Summer Greens in Milnerton.

‘It was good to see the work that is being done to fix vandalised pump stations. These efforts aim to help ensure that these critical water and sanitation infrastructure resources are safeguarded.

‘I visited the Boystown pump station, which services part of Nyanga. It was vandalised in July 2022, where some electrical equipment including the ultrasonic sensors, lights and switches were stolen. The directorate has invested almost R1,6 million at this pump station to ensure it is fully operational again and can provide its valuable service to residents. Security upgrades here include installing a more secured fence, a hardened surface and a steel door at this site.

‘In addition to the completed sites, the City is also busy working on 19 other sewer pump station sites. Every financial year, the City identifies the most critical pump stations in need of upgrades and repairs so work will be done in a phased approach to address these.

‘While upgrades and repairs are taking place, residents are reminded they can help the City by reporting any information of theft or vandalism incidents. When pump stations are vandalised, they cannot operate and deliver the services to communities as they should. Pump station vandalism contributes to sewer overflows and affects healthy living environments for our residents. Let’s all work together to safeguard this critical infrastructure,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation Councillor Siseko Mbandezi.

Report theft/ vandalism to be eligible for a reward

Provide information on the whereabouts of stolen property or a suspected offender, by calling 0800 11 00 77.

If your confidential information leads to an arrest or recovery of stolen property by the City’s Law Enforcement or Metro Police, you can get a reward of up to R5 000.

Support efforts to improve security in your area

For help improving or creating a Neighbourhood Watch, email nw.support@capetown.gov.za or call 0800 11 00 77 and ask for the Community Safety Liaison Officer in your area to contact you.

Log water and sanitation service requests

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):

• WhatsApp 060 018 1505

• 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)

Caption 1: The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation Councillor Siseko Mbandezi at the new electronic control panel.

Caption 2: Residents and City staff with Councillor Siseko Mbandezi, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, outside the recently upgraded Boystown sewer pump station in Crossroads.

Caption 3: The Boystown sewer pump station in Crossroads when it was vandalised in July.

Source: City Of Cape Town