Vandalism and theft of water and sanitation infrastructure are costing taxpayers millions.
According to the City of Cape Town, for this financial year alone it cost residents R12 million to repair and replace more than 10 000 water and sanitation infrastructure.
Mayco member for water and sanitation Zahid Badroodien appealed to communities to work together to protect water infrastructure. “By protecting our network of pipes and equipment, we not only preserve essential services but also contribute to the overall well-being and development of communities,” he said.
“Let us work together towards a future where we are free from the threat of vandalism and theft.”
Thousands of blockages
From July last year to March this year, the City’s water and sanitation directorate attended to 64 149 sewer blockages of which 52 665 were allegedly due to misuse.
An estimated 82% of blockages, resulted from alleged system misuse and cost approximately R371 million to resolve.
READ: Vandalism causes water crisis in Cape Town’s southern suburbs
Badroodien cautions that persistent incidents of vandalism and theft pose a significant challenge to providing an efficient operation of water and sanitation services.
“Vandalism and theft incidents not only disrupt essential services but also result in unnecessary expenses, diverting resources that could otherwise be invested in improving access to clean water and sanitation facilities,” he said.
In informal areas, the City spent R1,18 million on replacing 89 manhole covers, 80 rodding eyes, 1 034 stolen taps and 257 vandalised and missing toilet parts.
Meanwhile, formal areas cost taxpayers R10,8 million to replace 3 666 missing manhole covers, 2 809 stolen water meters, 649 meter covers, 1 204 hydrant covers, and 275 missing valve covers.
“The City is committed to providing reliable and efficient services to communities.
“However, the ongoing threat of vandalism and theft undermines these efforts and needs collaborative action from communities, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders,” said Badroodien. “Damage to the water network or pipelines can compromise water quality and disruptions in sanitation services can contribute to sewer overflows, posing risks to public health.
Without water
Last month, suspected vandalism to a 915mm water pipe in Parkwood left hundreds of residents in the southern suburbs without water and organisations like the Cape of Good Hope SPCA needing emergency assistance to find water for animals in their care (“Rascality leaves South dry” People’s Post, 24 April).
Ward 61 councillor Simon Liell-Cock said theft of water infrastructure remains a problem across the City while theft of electrical infrastructure was a larger issue in the deep south.
“Theft of water infrastructure is a big problem in areas like Red Hill informal settlement and Ocean View. For example, there has been a leak due to theft along a pipeline from Ocean View to Kommetjie that has to be fixed,” he says. “Smaller theft occurred at the Noordhoek sports field irrigation tanks.”
However, when it comes to theft of electrical infrastructure it has been a nightmare, said Liell-Cock.
“Anything that is brass and copper is broken and stolen.”
To report individuals seen tampering with manhole covers or dumping foreign objects into the sewer system call 0860 103 089.
From July last year to March this year, the City’s water and sanitation directorate attended to 64 149 sewer blockages of which 52 665 were allegedly due to misuse.
An estimated 82% of blockages, resulted from alleged system misuse and cost approximately R371 million to resolve.
In informal areas, the City spent R1,18 million on replacing 89 manhole covers, 80 rodding eyes, 1 034 stolen taps and 257 vandalised and missing toilet parts.
Meanwhile, formal areas cost taxpayers R10,8 million to replace 3 666 missing manhole covers, 2 809 stolen water meters, 649 meter covers, 1 204 hydrant covers, and 275 missing valve covers.
