The City of Cape Town has removed more than 40 tonnes of waste, including rags, nappies and wet wipes, from Manenberg’s sewer system during a large-scale cleaning operation aimed at preventing a collapse and protecting public health.

Over July and August 2025, the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate carried out a “bucketing” exercise on a bulk sewer line in Surrey Estate. The line runs from Manenberg to the Bridgetown pump station in Athlone.

In total, 40,060 kilograms of solid waste were extracted, consisting mostly of rags, wet wipes, sanitary towels and nappies.

City-appointed contractors use the bucketing method to prevent blockages that could lead to overflows in homes, streets and public spaces.

Authorities warned that, without this intervention, the build-up of foreign material could have caused a major blockage and pump station failure. This, in turn, would have spilt raw sewage into surrounding communities, posing severe health and environmental risks.

The City invested R624,110 in the two-month operation, which also included proactive cleaning along sections of the line in Manenberg. Officials said the intervention was essential to safeguard both infrastructure and residents’ daily lives.

“Rags and fabric should go in the regular waste bin, not down the toilet. These items don’t break down like toilet paper and severely damage our sewer infrastructure,” said Zahid Badroodien, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation

Badroodien further urged residents to take responsibility for protecting sewer systems.

“Every time a nappy or wet wipe is flushed, it increases the risk of blockages and overflows that threaten your neighbour’s health and our environment.”

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