Latest news with #DvoraDavey
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Health
- Eyewitness News
City of Cape Town urged to act fast on sewerage upgrades to prevent disease outbreaks
CAPE TOWN - An epidemiologist has warned the City of Cape Town to act with urgency in upgrading its sewerage infrastructure to avoid a public health emergency. The city has allocated R1.25 billion of its R4.9 billion water and sanitation budget to upgrade Cape Town's ailing sewerage network. This follows ongoing concerns about sewage overflows in various areas around the city. Associate Professor for Epidemiology at UCT Dvora Davey said sewage contaminated water can transmit a variety of diseases. "In sewage contaminated water there is bacteria, viruses and parasites and these pathogens cause gastro-intestinal illness, skin infection and even life-threatening conditions like hepatitis." In a bid to address these concerns, Mayco member for water and sanitation Zahid Badroodien says sewerage upgrades throughout Cape Town are being planned. "And so I'm excited about major projects like the Cape Flats rehabilitation of our sewer pipeline, the rehabilitation of bulk sewers in Milnerton, in Philippi." Badroodien said other projects include upgrades to Koeberg, Rappenberg and Langa pump stations.
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Health
- Eyewitness News
CoCT commits R1.5 billion to sewerage upgrades amid health concerns
CAPE TOWN - Several sewerage infrastructure upgrades are being planned throughout Cape Town amid ongoing concerns about flooding, sewer overflows and adequate sanitation. The City of Cape Town has allocated R1.5 billion of its R4.9 billion water and sanitation budget to upgrade Cape Town's ailing sewerage network. City Mayco member for water and sanitation Zahid Badroodien said he's excited about the sewerage upgrades being planned for Cape Town. READ: City of Cape Town urged to act fast on sewerage upgrades to prevent disease outbreaks "This means more pipes, more pipes replacements, it means more pump stations replacements, more proactive mechanisms put in place to make sure our network works as it should work." Associate Professor for Epidemiology at UCT Dvora Davey said the upgrades are overdue. "When we see a community where there's open faecal matter in the street, in the park, in people's homes, the sewerage system has failed and it's been failing now for the past decade." Davey said sewage-contaminated water can transmit a variety of diseases, and an urgent solution is needed to avoid a public health emergency.
