City Confirms Pump Failure, Outlines Fixes Amid Residents Frustration
Residents of Table View are enduring a recurring sewage overflow at the corner of Sprigg Road, with raw sewage flooding the area for at least four consecutive days. Photos shared online document the severity of the problem, and residents say this is a sadly regular occurrence, with the root cause allegedly stemming from Penz Drive.
Resident Voices Concern
John Michie, a resident who shared the photos on a Table View Facebook Group, expressed his frustration: “Corner of Sprigg Road flooded with raw sewage again. Fourth time in four days. This is a regular occurrence and the Municipality doesn’t seem to have a solution to the problem which apparently stems from Penz Drive.”
The Cape Navigator submitted questions to the City of Cape Town, receiving answers from Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.
City’s Response
The City confirmed they are aware of the recurring issue. The primary cause lies in a mechanical leak at the Table View East Pump Station.
Councillor Badroodien outlines the steps taken to fix the situation:
- Drywell Issues: “On Friday, 1 March, the pump station drywell was found flooded and not accessible for the maintenance team to conduct the root cause of the failure and repairs. The Drywell sump pump was also not working, which is generally meant to empty the drywell leaks. The drywell sump pump was resolved at midnight on the same day.”
- Multiple Pump Failures: “On Saturday, 2 March, the drywell was accessible early in the morning, however, there were unforeseen challenges with the spare pump… The pump is back and installation and commissioning are expected to be completed today.”
- Immediate Cleanup: “The affected streets were also drained, hosed and disinfected as part of the clean-up operation.”
- Regret and Commitment: “The City regrets any inconvenience caused and is working diligently to address the issue,” affirms Badroodien.
Long-Term Plans
While the situation is being addressed, the City is also focusing on preventing future sewage problems:
- Recent Upgrades: The Table View East Pump Station was refurbished in 2021 and had electrical upgrades in 2022.
- Increased Monitoring: The City will monitor the pump station more closely to respond to issues faster.
- Generator Backup: The station has a generator to prevent failures caused by load shedding (scheduled power outages).
- Funding Priorities: The City is investing R87 million this year to install backup power systems at water and sanitation facilities.
Residents Frustration
Despite the City’s response, residents are understandably frustrated by the recurring nature of the problem. The Cape Navigator will continue to monitor the situation and update readers as the City implements long-term solutions.
