The City of Cape Town’s Water Pollution Control (WPC) team is cracking down on illegal connections and discharges into the stormwater system. They are also advising property owners in Witsand and Atlantis on how to rectify the issue.
Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, joined the team for inspections conducted between March 2023 and February 2024. During this period, the WPC team inspected 12,580 properties, issuing 159 contravention notices and disconnecting 40 illegal connections.
The inspections targeted areas such as Masiphumelele, Wallacedene, Imizamo Yethu, Bloekombos, Dunoon, and Joe Slovo, where residents were found to be flushing greywater into stormwater drains. This not only violates bylaws but also negatively affects the environment and private properties downstream.
The City’s WPC team conducts proactive compliance inspections throughout Cape Town and collaborates with stakeholders on blitz operations. The Disconnections Programme is one such initiative that aims to ensure compliance and improve inland water quality.
The City also responds to community requests for inspections. A recent inspection in Witsand, prompted by resident complaints, revealed a widespread problem requiring urgent action.
How the Inspection and Disconnection Process Works
- City officials conduct house-to-house inspections to verify compliance with the Stormwater Management By-law.
- If transgressions are found, homeowners/tenants are informed about the impact of illegal discharges on public health and the environment.
- A contravention notice is issued, specifying the timeframe for rectifying the violation.
- Properties that comply by removing illegal connections are considered compliant.
- For ongoing contraventions after a follow-up inspection, the City collaborates with the Roads Infrastructure Management (RIMS) Unit and Law Enforcement to disconnect the illegal connections.
Common sources of pollution identified during inspections include:
- Illegal connections from hairdressers’ washing basins
- Washing machine wastewater
- Direct toilet discharge
- Illegal dumping of solid waste
Similar inspections are planned for Nomzamo, Lwandle, Asanda Village, Hangberg, and Fisantekraal in the coming weeks.
Councillor Badroodien commended the WPC team’s efforts and urged residents to cooperate with inspectors conducting similar inspections citywide. He emphasized the importance of addressing and enforcing the correction of illegal connections and discharges to safeguard the city’s inland water quality.
The robust flow within the stormwater system suggests unauthorized connections. Nomfuneko Mabulu, Ward Councillor, Moosa Raise, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Sinawo Mfolozi, and Tauriq Africa are present.