Mattresses, wheelie bins and other “wildly inappropriate” items are being pulled from Cape Town’s stormwater systems ahead of another spell of wet weather.
The City has warned that blocked drains and illegal dumping could worsen localised flooding as two successive cold fronts are set to batter the Western Cape from Sunday onwards.
According to the City’s Urban Mobility Directorate, Road Infrastructure Management (RIM) teams cleared 3 561 stormwater drains and catchpits between January and March this year.
During the same period, teams also repaired 4 751 potholes across Cape Town.
Stormwater systems under pressure ahead of winter
The warning comes as forecasts point to cold, windy conditions and heavy rainfall in the coming days.
The City said blocked stormwater infrastructure could lead to flooded roads, traffic disruptions and water pooling in low-lying areas.
“Our Road Infrastructure Management teams recently pulled mattresses and wheelie bins from a stormwater system, among other wildly inappropriate objects and materials,” said Rob Quintas, the City’s MMC for Urban Mobility.
“These objects cause massive blockages, which lead to flooding as the water cannot drain away.”
The City stressed that stormwater systems are designed to move water away over time, not instantly during intense downpours.
“Localised flooding may happen during heavy rainfall as it takes a while for the system to divert the water away from roads,” Quintas noted.
“It is only considered a fault or a system failure if the water does not drain away after the rain has subsided.”
“Residents in low-lying areas or those situated near water bodies are naturally more susceptible to localised flooding during intense weather events.”
City clears thousands of drains and catchpits
The City said teams have stepped up proactive maintenance ahead of winter.
This includes increased cleaning of stormwater networks, targeted upgrades in flood-prone areas and closer monitoring alongside the South African Weather Service.
Officials also warned that illegal structures built over stormwater infrastructure can prevent maintenance crews from accessing blocked systems.
“These numbers only reflect the work that the RIM teams have done where residents have reported service requests to the City,” Quintas added.
The City has urged the public to dispose of waste responsibly to help keep stormwater systems clear during the wet months ahead.
Residents are also encouraged to report blocked drains and flooding through the City’s call centre, website or municipal app.
For blocked stormwater and flooding:
- Call the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089
- Report it via the City of Cape Town APP, or
- Report it online at www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests
