ABSTRACT:
Rationale of the Research: South Africa’s water and sanitation systems face growing pressure from rapid urbanisation, climate change, and economic challenges, heightening environmental and public health risks. In townships like Khayelitsha, poor sanitation and limited infrastructure enable the spread of preventable diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic further revealed these weaknesses. This study analyses the occurrence of untreated sewage spillage-related incidents in Khayelitsha, City of Cape Town. Method of Investigation: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using sewage spillage data obtained from the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Department across 13 wards in Khayelitsha. Data from 2019 to 2021 were analysed using SPSS version 26. Statistical methods included Pearson’s chi-square tests, as well as bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Main

RESULTS:
A total of 547 incidents were reported, with 96% involving blockages and overflows, primarily in Kuyasa, Makhaza, and Harare. Nearly half (48.4%) of the incidents experienced response delays exceeding 30 days, particularly during the July–September period. The pandemic period was significantly associated with an increase in blockages (Nagelkerke R² = 0.681). However, no significant associations were found between response times and the type of incidents or their geographic distribution.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
The COVID-19 pandemic likely contributed to an increase in sewer blockages due to strain on service delivery systems. The absence of a significant relationship between response time and incident characteristics highlights underlying systemic inefficiencies. To mitigate future risks, it is recommended that municipal authorities prioritise investments in resilient infrastructure and enhance the efficiency of operational response systems in urban townships.