Sarepta residents urged to properly dispose of waste to prevent sewer blockages

The City has encouraged residents of Sarepta, in Kuils River, to throw solid waste into refuse bins to avoid blocking sewage pipelines.

During the 2024/2025 financial year, the maintenance teams attended to 348 blockages in Sarepta alone, according to the City.

Of these blockages, 50% were caused by inappropriate materials that were found in the sewage pipeline, such as nappies, sanitary products, cloths, rags, and other household waste.

“For Sarepta specifically, misuse of the sewer system directly impacts the environmental health of the Kuils River. When overflows occur, sewage runs into the river, compromising inland water quality,” said Zahid Badroodien, the mayoral committee member for water and sanitation.

“The City is doing its part by investing in new pipes, upgraded pump stations, and improved wastewater treatment works. However, these efforts will only succeed if residents make it a daily habit to dispose of waste appropriately in bins, leaving only toilet paper, urine, and faeces to course through the system effectively,” he added.

What residents can do to help reduce sewer overflows:

• Don't flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper. Anything else will block the pipes.
• Use the City's solid waste services provided to get rid of your waste, not drains.
• Report sewer blockages and overflows using one of the City's official channels so they can be cleared in a reasonable timeframe.
• Report vandalism to the sewage reticulation system and stolen or missing sewer manhole covers.
• Use the City's drop-off facilities to get rid of any solid waste.