Strand: who do you call when sewage comes up in the street?
The City of Cape Town. City fault reports start on 0860 103 089 (follow the prompts) or by email to water@capetown.gov.za. Give the address and say what you can see.
The City's page on blocked sewers lists causes such as wipes, rags, fats and grease, tree roots and rubble. Its guidance puts private-property blockages with a registered plumber. If you suspect a hidden leak instead, see leak detection.
Why do sewer pipes collapse in Strand?
The City answered that question in a media release on 6 October 2022. It said it had repaired six collapsed sewer pipes in Strand since May of that year, including pipes in De Villiers Street and De Ruyter Street.
The causes it listed were ageing pipes and corrosion from acidic wastewater. It also named tree roots and dumped rubble. Building work and heavy vehicles add load, the winter water table rises, and pipes can run full from capacity limits or heavy stormwater.
Strand or Gordon's Bay: drain, leak or geyser trouble? Ring 060 086 9889, or send a quote request online.
What is being done about Strand's sewers now?
The District Mail and Helderberg Gazette reported on 25 March 2026 on four Strand projects worth R23.6 million. They replace over 9,000 m of pipe on major residential streets such as Joubert, Brand and Munnik. The report also says sewer collapses were repaired at several points in Joubert Street.
The Trappies Bulk Sewer, which the City says serves a large part of the Helderberg, is being rehabilitated. The Gordon's Bay Pump Station was reported as 80% complete. It is designed to divert flow to the Sir Lowry's Pass Outfall Sewer, with commissioning expected in June according to the report.
Which Strand suburbs do we cover?
Strand sits on the north-eastern shore of False Bay. It joined the City in 2000 and falls under Subcouncil 8, Helderberg. The planning suburbs are Chris Nissen Park, Goedehoop, Southfork, Strandvale, Twin Palms and Strand Industria. Lwandle and Nomzamo are next door, and the Gants area along the N2 is an industrial and commercial node.
Gordon's Bay: what do you need to know?
Gordon's Bay is covered as well and has no page of its own, so give your suburb in the form. Sewage in a Gordon's Bay street goes to the City on the same fault line. A District Mail report of 14 June 2024 described a bulk water main burst in Gordon's Bay. It cut supply to the town and to parts of Strand, and repairs finished on 10 June. If your water is off now, check with the City first.
Where else do we cover nearby?
Somerset West is the next town inland: see plumber in Somerset West. Further on, plumber in Stellenbosch is in a different municipality. The full list of areas is under where we work.
For jobs on your property, see blocked drains and geyser repair or replacement, or the wider list of plumbing services. The request a quote page shows how a request works.
Questions people ask
Sewage is surfacing in a Strand street. Whose responsibility is it?
The City's, when the pipe lies in the street or on public land. Report it by phone: 0860 103 089, then follow the prompts.
Private-property blockages go to a registered plumber. Ask for a reference number either way.
Why do sewer collapses happen in Strand?
A City release of 6 October 2022 cited ageing pipes, acidic wastewater, tree roots, rubble, extra building loads and a higher winter water table.
It also listed overloaded pipes from capacity limits or stormwater inflow.
Why is my water off in Strand or Gordon's Bay?
Check with the City on 0860 103 089. In June 2024 a bulk main burst in Gordon's Bay and cut supply to parts of Strand.
If water is off only inside your home, a plumber can look at it once you request a quote.