Today, 9 May 2022, Councillor Rob Quintas, the Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, visited Philippi where officials were using the Duct Cleaning Machine (bucket machine) to clean the stormwater pipes in preparation for the upcoming winter season.

‘Winter is fast approaching and we want to ensure that the ground work is done and our road infrastructure is able to cope with the eventualities of the season. As part of our preparation, the Roads Infrastructure and Management Department follows a winter preparation programme which entails the reactive and planned maintenance of all roads and stormwater infrastructure in Cape Town,’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

‘In Philippi today we have chosen the duct machine method because it can remove large amounts of sand, heavy solids and roots from pipelines and it is an effective cleaning method in large diameter pipes. What I have seen here today is heart-wrenching. The City’s stormwater system is being used as a dump site for all sorts of debris. Our officials are working tirelessly to ensure that the stormwater pipes are free of debris and that rain water flows properly. However, the illegal dumping makes it extremely difficult for them to clean and leads to flooding of the roads. I am therefore appealing to our residents to please refrain from depositing anything into our stormwater system as it interferes with the flow and creates a safety hazard for motorists and residents alike,’ said Councillor Quintas.

Overall, the Directorate’s Winter Preparedness Programme includes the following interventions:

Stormwater pipeline cleaning
A duct cleaning machine is a powered winching machine which pulls a bucket through a pipeline to collect and remove debris. A set of two machines is required. Bucket machines are used in pairs to pull a bucket between them through a pipeline to scoop up and remove debris. The bucket is a cylindrical container with jaws at one end that open for filling when pulled in one direction and close to enclose the debris when pulled in the other direction.

Our stormwater system is often burdened with unsuitable waste, which contaminates the natural aquatic ecosystems and reduces the capacity of the stormwater system. This can lead to blockages and flooding.

The main purpose of a stormwater system is to carry away excess rain, hence the name ‘stormwater’. With Cape Town’s rainy season fast approaching, we are doing all we can to ensure that when the rain falls, the water is able to flow away from the roads and into the oceans, canals, ponds and rivers.

Pond cleaning
The work entails mostly the removal of alien vegetation, which restricts the stormwater functionality of the ponds, as well as the removal of silt to ensure that the in- and outlets of the ponds are not restricted. Due to the nesting and breeding of birds, the removal of vegetation can only be performed during the months of February to June.

Ponds prone to flooding due to system abuse are done at least twice a year and just before Winter and/or an expected high rainfall event.

Red-Gulley inspections
Maps indicating potential problematic locations are commonly known as ‘red gulleys’ or ‘hot spots’ in the municipal areas of Kraaifontein, Brackenfell, Durbanville and Bellville, and were compiled based on knowledge gained over the past 12 years. These maps are regularly updated and show more than 100 ‘red gulleys’ which are addressed annually during the months of March, April, May and June.

Pothole repairs
The majority of potholes form in the wet or rainy season. When it rains and the water accumulates on the road, tyres from the vehicles actually squeeze the water into the road pavement layer. The repeated pump action between the road surface and the tyres of the vehicles causes the road to crack. Water gets through the cracks and weakens the pavement layer, which in turn leads to more cracking and eventually a pothole forms.

Our road repair teams are out and about doing visual inspections, fixing potholes, and undertaking general maintenance across the city in preparation for the rainy season.

We rely on residents’ report of potholes in their areas before the heavy rains come to ensure that their roads are able to cope when it rains.

‘Residents and motorists are reminded that it is not practical to do permanent repairs in winter due to the wet weather conditions. We often do temporary repairs on potholes. We then return in more favourable weather conditions to do repair work that will last longer,’ said Councillor Quintas.

Residents can use the following channels to report transport and road related issues:

• Transport Information Centre (TIC) on 080 065 6463. This is a 24/7 information centre and free from a landline or a cell phone
• Send an email to Info@capetown.gov.za

Residents are reminded to please include their name, contact number and the exact location of the blocked stormwater infrastructure. It is very important to ensure that the details of the location are 100% correct as this will improve our response time. We want to thank our residents for working with us.

‘I also want to state upfront that without the cooperation of our residents, our efforts are in vain. Our officials sometimes are threatened and even robbed of their personal belongings when they work in certain areas. This cannot be allowed to continue. I am therefore calling on residents to please work with us in ensuring that the service we deliver is uninterrupted. Ultimately, our residents are the beneficiaries of the service,’ said Councillor Quintas.

Source: City Of Cape Town