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Woensdag, 16 Julie 2025 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | e-pos: nuus@tygerburger.co.za | Website: www.tygerburger.co.za
900 MM BULK SEWER PIPE GIVES WAY IN MONTAGUE DRIVE
Another sewer collapses KAILIN DANIELS
A
KAILIN.DANIELS@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA
nother major sewer-line collapse in Montague Gardens has sparked renewed concerns over ageing infrastructure, traffic disruptions, and environmental risks in the area. Last week a 900 mm bulk sewer pipe beneath a section of Montague Drive gave way, prompting an immediate emergency response from the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate.
Emergency-response crews cordon off Montague Drive after yet another bulk-sewer collapse. This marks the 13th incident in the area.
Last year’s collapsed section of Montague Drive, which has since been repaired.
13
The number of sewer collapses in Montague Drive since 2023 attributed to severe corrosion from sulphuric acid and aging infrastucture
This marks the 13th sewer collapse in the area following 12 similar incidents in 2023 and 2024, which were previously reported by TygerBurger. The ongoing failures are widely attributed to severe corrosion from sulphuric acid and the age of the infrastructure. “City teams were deployed within minutes to cordon off the affected area, implement traffic-safety measures and begin assessing the extent of the damage,” said Zahid Badroodien, Mayco member for Water and Sanitation. “We are finalising an emergency-repair plan and closely monitoring the site to mitigate any further risks, especially to the nearby Milnerton Lagoon, which remains a key environmental priority.” TygerBurger reported on the issue since August 2023 of the collapses occurring successively and at multiple points in the 50-year-old 900 mm fibre cement bulk sewer pipeline, which runs underground at a depth of 5 metres. The road was cordoned off for months, with motorists having to use alternative routes.
After the first collapse the City appointed a contractor to assist with emergency repairs to the sewer. Subsequently, 11 collapses occurred between August 2023 and January 2024, which have all been repaired. FRUSTRATION Badroodien acknowledged the public frustration caused by repeated collapses. “We understand this is incredibly disruptive for motorists and local businesses. These collapses are precisely why we launched the R470 million Milnerton Bulk Sewer Upgrade Project, to replace and rehabilitate this critical, but failing infrastructure. We are working with urgency and absolute focus to stabilise the area and ensure long-term resilience.” The collapse occurred along the same route where Phase 2 of the City’s bulk-sewer rehabilitation is set to begin in March 2025, with trenchless technology expected to reduce surface-level disruptions once construction is underway. TO PAGE 2