CT aims to minimise flood risks
2010-07-27 21:54
Cape Town - Cape Town's gullies, open channels, culverts and canals are being cleaned in order to minimise flood risk during winter, the city's roads and stormwater department said on Tuesday.
This ensured that the flow of water downstream was not restricted, it said
The city started the programme of rehabilitative maintenance and improvements to stormwater infrastructure during the 2009 to 2010 summer period.
It was in conjunction with other city services.
The budget allocation for pro-active maintenance, mainly cleaning of stormwater facilities by means of contracted services, totalled R46m, it said.
The reactive maintenance work, such as response to flood incidents, undertaken by the department totalled about R41m.
"With more rain expected for this winter, mitigation measures have been put in place and pro-active cleaning work is well underway."
This included the removal of silt and other debris from the underground systems and stormwater catch pits.
In addition, all critical stormwater outlets in ponds, rivers and canals were inspected regularly and cleaned as and when required, it said.
- SAPA