The City achieved one of its top priorities, to combat water pollution during the 2023/2024 financial year, by installing eight waste interceptors in rivers and waterways across the city. The interceptors were installed using cost-effective methods, to trap litter and prevent waste, protecting the ecosystem.
The Water and Sanitation, Catchment Stormwater and River Management (CSRM) Branch invested R238 000 to install waste interceptors at Princess Vlei in Southfield, the Black River in Garden Village, Elsieskraal River in Pinelands and Jakkalsvlei Canal in Athlone.
The system consists of a 75mm diameter high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe affixed to either side of each waterbody. The length of the interceptors vary depending on the width of each waterbody, with some extending up to 90m.
Waste interceptors offer several benefits
- Capturing floating litter and debris before it spreads downstream, or into larger bodies of water.
- Providing a low-cost solution for litter management compared to more complex filtration or cleaning systems.
- Being adaptable to various sizes and types of waterways, making them versatile for different locations.
The most recent installation was at Princess Vlei where three interceptors were placed, forming part of a wetland network stretching from Grassy Park to Strandfontein. The Southfield Canal (approximately 2km long), discharges into Princess Vlei, draining an urban area of about 800 hectares.
The vlei also collects runoff from adjacent public open spaces and various stormwater pipes, such as runoff from Wynberg, Youngsfield, Plumstead and Southfield, which ultimately flows out through an outlet weir, in a south-easterly direction into Italian Road Canal, leading to Rondevlei in Grassy Park.
The City has implemented a plan for the regular cleaning and maintenance of all waste interceptors. Furthermore, as part of ongoing maintenance Princess Vlei also undergoes annual hydraulic flushing during the rainy winter months.
‘The Water and Sanitation Directorate remains committed to improving water quality in our rivers and waterways. The installation of these waste interceptors will significantly enhance our ability to extract solid waste from the waterways, ensuring the long-term protection of our ecosystems,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.
