Is the water sewage, stormwater or my own plumbing?
Decide this before you phone anyone, because each has a different route. Describe where the water appears, when it started, and whether it follows rain. You do not need to know the cause. Your report or request only needs the facts.
| What you see | A sensible first step |
|---|---|
| Sewage coming up from a manhole, gully or the street | Report it to the City on 0860 103 089 |
| Water pooling in the yard after rain | Note whether it clears, and say so in your request |
| Damp, a drip or a wet patch near your own pipes | Request a quote and describe where |
| A toilet or drain that backs up inside | Request a quote and say how many fixtures |
Stormwater from a property must go to the street or the City's stormwater system, never the sewer. Keep people and pets away from suspected sewage and avoid contact. Stop using the affected toilet or drain. The City says blocked and overflowing sewers can be dangerous to your health.
Athlone, Lansdowne, Ottery, Grassy Park and Lotus River
These suburbs are covered. The City says its bulk sewers in Athlone, Hanover Park, Lotus River, Ottery, Grassy Park, Eagle Park and Pelican Park were built in the 1960s. It is rehabilitating 28 km of them for R796 million. At 19 June 2024, the City said 7 km (25%) was done, and it expected the rest by 2025 "if all goes as planned". Check its service notices for the current position.
Elsies River, Bonteheuwel, Bishop Lavis and Hanover Park
All four are covered. In Elsies River the City began relining about 2 km of sewer along Epping Avenue on 8 January 2025, planned to finish by the end of June. It followed repeated overflows and collapses (Die Kwêvoël, 29 May 2025).
Gugulethu, Nyanga, Langa, Manenberg, Philippi and Khayelitsha
These suburbs are covered. Tell us the suburb, the street and what you see.
Mitchells Plain, Strandfontein and Retreat
Mitchells Plain has its own page: plumber in Mitchells Plain. It has a neighbourhood directory and a checklist for a recurring sewer overflow. Strandfontein and Retreat are covered on this page.
Anywhere on the Cape Flats: send a quote request, or call 060 086 9889.
Which other Cape Flats suburbs do we cover?
Suburbs we cover also include Blue Downs, Heideveld, Lavender Hill, Macassar, Matroosfontein, Parkwood and Zeekoevlei. Not on the list? Put your suburb in the form. Anywhere else we cover is under where we work.
Who fixes a burst main or sewer overflow on the Cape Flats?
That is the City's job. Its fault line is 0860 103 089, and the prompts guide you; SMS 31373 and water@capetown.gov.za are alternatives. Quote the street address and keep the reference you receive. On your own property call a plumber, and in the street call the City.
Which services suit a Cape Flats home?
A sewer or drain problem on your own property is a blocked drains job. Water coming through now is an emergency plumber call. Beyond that you can ask about leak detection, geyser repair or replacement and bathroom plumbing. The plumbing services page has the whole set, and what a plumber costs has ballparks.
Questions people ask
Why does the sewer on my street keep overflowing?
Report each overflow to the City on 0860 103 089 and keep the reference numbers. A record of repeat reports helps when you follow up.
Note which drains are affected, whether neighbours are too, and whether it follows rain. If a blockage on your property keeps returning, say so in your request.
Is it stormwater or sewage in my yard?
You may not be able to tell. Describe where the water appears and when, and whether it follows rain, then report or request accordingly.
Sewage from a manhole is a City fault. Stormwater has its own system and must not enter the sewer.
Is the Cape Flats bulk sewer project finished?
The City's June 2024 update expected completion in 2025 if all went as planned. Check the City's service notices for the current position.
The project covers 28 km of sewers built in the 1960s.