Latest news with #ZahidBadroodien
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Bayside Canal upgrades in Milnerton: City prepares to restart construction
The current state of the Bayside Canal upgrade site in Milnerton. Image: Supplied Plans are afoot for the completion of the multi-million rand Bayside Canal upgrade in Milnerton, after work on site was temporarily suspended in November due to a contractual dispute with the contractor. The City's Water and Sanitation Directorate this week said efforts are under way to resolve the matter and resume construction, as it works to reach a negotiated, amicable settlement of the dispute. To date, approximately 55% of the project has been completed. "It is important that public funds are used responsibly and for this reason, the negotiations are being dealt with as quickly and thoughtfully as possible," said Water and Sanitation mayco member, Zahid Badroodien. "This is one of the City's crucial investments, which will contribute to improved water quality within Rietvlei and surrounds. "Given ongoing development in the catchment, the upgrade is essential to accommodate increased stormwater flow during peak rainfall and to tackle the significant litter and pollution that enters Rietvlei via the stormwater system." In the interim, the City has taken steps to mitigate flood risks in the area. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Following heavy rainfall on April 8, which led to flooding along Blaauwberg Road, the canal adjacent to the road and approximately 30 metres of the Bayside Canal were cleared to improve stormwater flow ahead of the winter season. Additional works were also undertaken during the suspension period. On April 24, the contractor removed the temporary berm and bypass trench, in line with contractual obligations, to assist with drainage. The City conducted an inspection on April 27 where it was determined that the water level at the control weir was at about 2.1m and 0.9m in the Rietvlei. A slight drop in water levels since April 8 suggests a blockage between the lower section of the proposed bypass canal and Rietvlei. "To address this, the City will, through its repair and maintenance contractors survey the existing flow channel to determine current water levels and the location of the obstruction, deploy a long-boom excavator to clear the blockage and stockpile the excavated material adjacent to the channel. Once work starts again, the stormwater canal to the primary sedimentation ponds and the bypass canal from the secondary treatment channel to the Rietvlei will be constructed," the City said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
The South African
26-05-2025
- Health
- The South African
THIS item is the No 1 cause of sewer blockages in upmarket Cape Town suburbs
A dramatic surge in sewer blockages is causing headaches for residents and authorities in some of Cape Town's most affluent coastal suburbs, with over 1 000 incidents reported since July 2023. The City of Cape Town's Water and Sanitation Directorate has linked the persistent problem to the improper disposal of household waste – especially the flushing of wet wipes . According to the City, Camps Bay, Clifton, Bakoven and Sea Point have been the hardest-hit areas, with 1 072 blockages recorded between July 2023 and March 2025. Despite ongoing maintenance and rapid response efforts, blockages are recurring frequently – sometimes within days of being cleared. 'We see an increase in the prevalence of wet wipes blocking sewer pipes in some areas. These should be discarded in the bin to be collected along with other refuse,' said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation. An analysis of sewer blockage causes in the affected suburbs revealed: 26% due to foreign objects like wet wipes, nappies, and sanitary towels due to foreign objects like 18% caused by tree roots invading the system caused by invading the system 9% due to rags due to 6% linked to fats and grease from local restaurants linked to from local restaurants 8% from other causes from other causes 33% could not be definitively traced 'Despite our efforts, many of these blockages are entirely preventable. What is especially concerning is the need for repeat visits just days apart,' Badroodien added. The City is now urging residents and visitors alike to change their bathroom habits by following a simple rule: 'Bin it, don't flush it.' 'I urge all residents and visitors to Camps Bay, Clifton, Bakoven and Sea Point – please do not flush wet wipes, nappies, sanitary towels, ear buds or any other foreign items down the toilet. 'These items do not break down like toilet paper and severely damage our sewer infrastructure,' said Badroodien. Only flush human waste and toilet paper – nothing else Dispose of wet wipes and hygiene products in bins, not toilets Report sewer overflows and blockages using the City's official channels Report missing manhole covers or suspected vandalism Use drop-off sites for large or recyclable waste City officials stress that a collaborative effort between residents, businesses, and local government is essential to stopping the environmental and health damage caused by sewer overflows. 'Breaking the cycle of this persistent challenge requires a joint effort. We need every Capetonian and visitor to play their part,' said Badroodien. With sewer infrastructure under increasing strain, the City hopes that stronger public awareness and behaviour change will stem the tide – literally – of this growing coastal crisis. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Herald
21-05-2025
- General
- The Herald
Think before flushing in Camps Bay, Bakoven, Clifton and Sea Point
Wet wipes and similar objects being flushed down toilets have been identified as a leading cause of sewer blockages in the suburbs of Camps Bay, Bakoven, Clifton and Sea Point in Cape Town. The city's water and sanitation department said on Tuesday it had attended to 1,072 blockages in the suburbs between July 2023 and March this year. 'The volume of call-outs in these high-use areas raises serious concerns about ongoing irresponsible behaviour,' said the city. Water and sanitation MMC Zahid Badroodien appealed to residents and visitors not to flush foreign objects down toilets in the affected areas. 'The city is appealing to residents to be mindful of the impact that improper household waste disposal habits have on the environment. Help us reduce sewer overflows and prevent damage to infrastructure by flushing only human waste and toilet paper. We see an increase in wet wipes blocking sewer pipes in some areas. These should be discarded in bins to be collected along with other refuse,' he said. 'What is especially concerning is the need for repeat visits just days apart, as new blockages form in the same areas. Breaking the cycle of this persistent challenge requires a collaborative effort by the city and residents.' Most blockages were caused by foreign objects such as wet wipes, sanitary towels and nappies, followed by tree roots, rags, and fat from restaurants and eateries. No cause was identified for some blockages which the city could be attributed to high flows due to rain, pump station failure or a blockage elsewhere that affected several streets. TimesLIVE
The South African
20-05-2025
- General
- The South African
Bad flushing habits choke sewers in affluent Cape Town area
According to the City of Cape Town, Water and Sanitation teams responded to 1 072 sewer blockages in Camps Bay, Bakoven, Clifton, and Sea Point between July 2023 and March 2025. Many of the incidents along this affluent part of the Atlantic Seaboard were caused by wet wipes and other non-flushable items ending up in the sewer system. 'We see an increase in the prevalence of wet wipes blocking sewer pipes,' said Mayco Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien. 'These should be discarded in the bin to be collected along with other refuse.' Nearly 30% of sewer blockages are from foreign objects, including wet wipes. Image: CoCT The public's tendency to flush wet wipes, nappies, and other foreign objects is giving the City a serious headache. It not only damages infrastructure and causes sewer overflows, but threatens the environment, the City said on Tuesday. The statement also identified other causes of sewer blockages in Camps Bay, Bakoven, Clifton and Sea Point: 26% foreign objects (wet wipes, sanitary towels, nappies) 18% roots of trees 9% rags 6% fats from restaurants and eateries 8% other causes The remaining 33% likely stemmed from issues further up the network, or had cleared before crews arrived. 'They could also be the result of high flows due to rain, which could have subsided by the time teams went to site,' the City said. Nonetheless, the volume of repeat call-outs – sometimes just days apart – highlights what city officials are describing as 'ongoing irresponsible behaviour' in high-use areas. Badroodien is urging all residents and visitors to Camps Bay, Clifton, Bakoven and Sea Point NOT to flush wet wipes, nappies, sanitary towels, ear buds or any other foreign items down the toilet. 'These items do not break down like human waste and toilet paper, and severely damage our sewer infrastructure,' he added. The public have been told to place all other waste in bins, and to use the City's drop-off facilities to get rid of recyclables. Residents are also encouraged to report sewer blockages, overflows, and vandalism through the City's official channels. South Africa is not the only country battling a wet wipe scourge in their sewer systems. In the UK, an organisation is calling for an outright ban of wipes – even those that claim to be biodegradable. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
