Bad flushing habits choke sewers in affluent Cape Town area

According to the City of Cape Town, Water and Sanitation teams responded to 1 072 sewer blockages in Camps Bay, Bakoven, Clifton, and Sea Point between July 2023 and March 2025.

Many of the incidents along this affluent part of the Atlantic Seaboard were caused by wet wipes and other non-flushable items ending up in the sewer system.

“We see an increase in the prevalence of wet wipes blocking sewer pipes,” said Mayco Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

“These should be discarded in the bin to be collected along with other refuse.”

6% of sewer blockages caused by oil from restaurants

The public’s tendency to flush wet wipes, nappies, and other foreign objects is giving the City a serious headache.

It not only damages infrastructure and causes sewer overflows, but threatens the environment, the City said on Tuesday.

The statement also identified other causes of sewer blockages in Camps Bay, Bakoven, Clifton and Sea Point:

• 26% foreign objects (wet wipes, sanitary towels, nappies)
• 18% roots of trees
• 9% rags
• 6% fats and oils from restaurants and eateries
• 8% other causes

The remaining 33% likely stemmed from issues further up the network, or had cleared before crews arrived.

“They could also be the result of high flows due to rain, which could have subsided by the time teams went to site,” the City said.

Nonetheless, the volume of repeat call-outs – sometimes just days apart – highlights what city officials are describing as “ongoing irresponsible behaviour” in high-use areas.

‘Bin it, don’t flush it’

Badroodien is urging all residents and visitors to Camps Bay, Clifton, Bakoven and Sea Point NOT to flush wet wipes, nappies, sanitary towels, ear buds or any other foreign items down the toilet.

“These items do not break down like human waste and toilet paper, and severely damage our sewer infrastructure,” he added.

The public have been told to place all other waste in bins, and to use the City’s drop-off facilities to get rid of recyclables.

Residents are also encouraged to report sewer blockages, overflows, and vandalism through the City’s official channels.

South Africa is not the only country battling a wet wipe scourge in their sewer systems.

In the UK, an organisation is calling for an outright ban of wipes – even those that claim to be biodegradable.

Did you know wet wipes can’t be flushed down the toilet?

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