Sewage Meeting Maps the Way Forward
- KRRA
- Jan 30
- 2 min read
A special meeting was convened recently on the sewerage leaks facing Ocean View and Kommetjie, which was well attended by concerned residents. Here is a summary and a full minutes of the meeting.
Thanks to this summary by Lizelle Wagner: Councillor (Simon Liell-Cock) explained that a significant portion of the problem has been caused by people deliberately putting objects into the sewer system, particularly in Ocean View. Items found in the pipes include drainpipes, ladders, and other debris.
One individual in particular had been obstructing the sewer flow intentionally in order to sift through the sewage and recover items he could sell. This activity was creating serious blockages. This individual has now been arrested and bail has been opposed, although there is no guarantee he will not be released. There is currently no evidence to suggest that others are doing the same.
The council has put out a tender to cover the manholes, which is expected to be implemented around March this year.
Andrew Taylor, acting manager of sewage installations in the southern area, attended the meeting and explained calmly and clearly that the system functions properly when it is not being interfered with. He stated that the pipes are operating at around 50% capacity and that, from their perspective, the system is adequate and up to standard.
While some residents expressed concern and referred to historical issues, both the councillor and the others were firm that the system is not overloaded and that rumours suggesting otherwise are incorrect. They expect conditions to improve once the interference stops.
A representative from Coastal Management, Elena Piller, presented water sampling data. The city tests the water every two weeks, and the results show that the ocean is not being impacted by sewer spills flowing into the sea via the Bokram Spruit.
In fact, water quality readings at Long Beach are described as exceptional. Elevated health risks are mainly observed after heavy rainfall, when runoff causes spikes in faecal contamination. As a result, the city intends to issue advisories recommending that people avoid swimming after major rain events.
The meeting itself was somewhat chaotic but overall felt constructive. It was reassuring to hear that the council appears to be actively addressing the issue. Going forward, I plan to suggest to the KRRA that we keep detailed logs and records of any incidents. Having solid data would allow the community to engage more effectively with the council in future, rather than relying on anecdotal reports.
Other topics discussed included littering and invasive plant species. Despite some challenges, these meetings feel valuable for community engagement, and I would recommend them. One practical improvement would be to use a microphone in future, as it was difficult to hear at times.
Download the full minutes here
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