The metro and a councillor are sounding the alarm on the dangers of littering in stormwater drains.
Residents are urged to take responsibility for their waste disposal habits and ensure that drains remain free from filth that could leave them clogged.
Ward 56 councillor Shaun Wilkinson warned that blocked drains lead to overflowing water during heavy rains, creating hazardous conditions that compromise public safety.
“Blocked drains cause overflowing water, which leads to road damage, disrupts traffic flow and puts road users, including pedestrians, at risk,” Wilkinson said.
He said in Waterkloof, the stormwater drain in Albert Street was blocked by litter, and it had caused a huge puddle that could not be drained.
Wilkinson said this led to an accident on Thursday, where a car tried to swerve to avoid the puddle and collided with another vehicle.
“Fortunately, no one was injured.”
Wilkerson added that he also received complaints from residents about the stormwater drain in Florence Ribeiro Avenue, opposite Magnolia Dell’s parking area, which is completely overgrown and blocked.
“It’s extremely dangerous when it rains, especially at night with poor or non-existent lighting,” Wilkinson said.
“Cars travelling north have to swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid large puddles that are not draining due to this blockage.”
Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo highlighted that the metro experienced an annual rainfall that predominantly occurred between November and April.
He said this means that stormwater channels and drains must be kept clear of debris at all times, however in Tshwane, residents were not ensuring that litter was not trapped in drains.
“However, while natural debris is an issue, it is normally unnatural debris and waste caused by pollution that clogs these drains,” said Mashigo.
He stated the three main categories of waste that contribute to blocked stormwater drains are natural debris, unnatural debris, and deliberate dumping of waste.
He said people are littering waste, plastic bags, and other materials that clog these drains.
“Informal settlements located along rivers and stormwater channels, where there is illegal dumping, are also a major contributor to the problem.”
Mashigo warned that dangers associated with blocked stormwater drains are severe.
“It can result in severe flooding, loss of lives, damage to infrastructure, and environmental risks, including waterborne diseases,” he said.
“The city has seven regional teams that try to keep the rivers, stormwater channels and natural debris to a minimum.”
He said, however, the issue is complex and requires a collective effort to solve.
Mashigo urged residents to stop disposing of waste improperly and to use the city’s waste collection methods, designated private and public landfill sites, and other accredited facilities to deal with unusual waste.
He stated that illegal dumping and improper disposal of waste are the largest contributors to the problem, and this requires substantial behavioural change from community members.
“By taking responsibility for their waste disposal habits, residents can play a crucial role in mitigating the risks of flooding and damage,” said Mashigo.
“We urge all residents to take ownership of their waste disposal habits and to report any incidents of illegal dumping or blockages to the relevant authorities.”
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