Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
THE City of Bulawayo receives between 80 and 110 sewer chokes reports per day with its staff attending to between 48 and 96 of those reports.
Principal Engineer, water and sanitation department, Dumani Gwetu revealed the figures during his presentation on the City’s wastewater management and investment areas during Day Two of the Trade Effluent and Water Recycling Indaba being held at a city hotel.
“The City of Bulawayo receives between 80 and 110 sewer chokes reports per day with our workers attending to between 48 and 96 of those reports per day depending on the number of vehicles available on the day and the season of the year,” said Eng Gwetu.
According to Eng Gwetu, a sewer choke is gradual restriction of flow caused by the accumulation of debris and foreign materials and there is still some seepage of wastewater.
“A blockage is a complete obstruction of the sewer line. No wastewater passes through the affected section, often resulting in overflow from manholes,” said Eng Gwetu.
He said a sewer reticulation system is designed to collect and convey wastewater safely to treatment plants and its key components include:
Sewer mains – Primary conduits that transport wastewater.
Collector (or branch) mains – Channels that gather wastewater from smaller lines and feed into main sewers.
Manholes – Access points for inspection and maintenance.
Pump stations – Installed where gravity flow is not possible, lifting wastewater from low-lying areas to higher elevations so it can continue flowing toward treatment facilities.
He said ideally, sewer systems operate under gravity. However, in low-lying areas, pump stations are necessary to maintain continuous flow.
Eng Gwetu said in 2012, under the city’s wastewater master plan, the sewer reticulation network measured approximately 1 465 kilometres.
“Since 2013, expansion through new developments has increased the total network length to over 1 700 kilometres. This significant growth has also increased maintenance demands and operational pressure on the system,” said Eng Gwetu.
