City of Cape Town promises to fix Somerset West's sewer woes by December 2026
Sewage pollution in the Geelsloot waterway in Somerset West has eased temporarily, but concerns remain over long-term infrastructure capacity and delays in planned upgrades.
Image: CoCT/ Facebook
The City of Cape Town has set a target of December 2026 to complete sewer rehabilitation works along the Geelsloot in Somerset West, but it said delays remained a possibility.
Responding to media enquiries, mayco member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, said the first phase of the project is set to begin towards the end of April and “will be completed by the end of June 2026”.
“The remaining two projects are envisaged for completion by December 2026, subject to any other technicalities that may be encountered,” he said.
Badroodien added: “The aim is to conclude the works projects by December 2026,” but noted that “certain delays in the importation of the liner from Europe have delayed other works projects”.
The project will involve the rehabilitation of 3 323.4 metres of sewer pipeline using cured-in-place pipe lining technology, at a cost of R7.59 million.
Affected areas include Watersmeet, Stella, Aberdeen, Nassau, Dummer, Preller, Irene and Pinecroft streets, as well as Jakaranda Road.
He said timelines for later phases will be finalised during the procurement process, noting that contractor appointments and project documentation are still under way.
Badroodien said proactive measures are under way ahead of the winter season, including jetting, sewer cleaning and pump station maintenance, to reduce the risk of overflows.
He said additional investigations are also planned, with the Water Pollution Control unit expected to conduct smoke detection testing in the area to identify illegal or cross-connections into the sewer system.
“In the long-term, the City needs residents to assist in keeping the sewers free from foreign objects,” Badroodien said.
However, Cape Independence Party (CAPEXIT) councillor and member of the Mayoral Advisory Committee on Water Quality of Wetlands, Waterways and the Coastal Environment, Karl Bodin, raised concerns about the pace of intervention and long-term infrastructure capacity.
“It has taken more than nine years of complaints by members of the community surrounding the Geelsloot, to get to this point,” Bodin said.
“One must appreciate the absolute frustration and suffering experienced by residents along the Geelsloot, having to endure unacceptable toxic odour, which is a severe health risk.”
Bodin also raised concerns about whether the existing sewer network has sufficient capacity, particularly in light of ongoing upstream development.
Separately, in a 2023 community engagement, Lukhozi Consulting Engineers outlined plans to upgrade the Geelsloot catchment’s stormwater infrastructure, including attenuation ponds aimed at improving capacity and reducing flood risk.
According to the City, the Geelsloot Stormwater Attenuation Pond Project is currently in the detailed design phase and is being prepared for submission for environmental authorisation, with the design expected to be completed by the end of September 2026, pending public input.
While the City has now outlined a timeline for sewer rehabilitation, the broader stormwater upgrade remains in the planning phase, with implementation timelines yet to be confirmed.