The ongoing sewerage problems in Rakotoka Street are receiving attention from the Swakopmund Municipality, with both immediate repairs and a long-term solution now being put in place.

Municipal technical staff worked in the early hours of Wednesday morning, between midnight and 3:30, to deal with blocked drains in the street. The timing was chosen when sewer flows were lower, allowing the team to work more effectively. Two of the drains were found to be almost completely blocked and at risk of overflowing. The team managed to clear both, while a total of four drains, starting from the traffic lights and working upwards, were cleaned and unblocked. The work is not yet finished. The technical team is expected to continue with the remaining drains during the night as part of the ongoing intervention.

The recurring sewer problems have been a concern for residents in Rakotoka Street, and the municipality says it is looking beyond the immediate blockages. As a long-term solution, the municipality plans to upgrade the sewer line in Rakotoka Street in an effort to address the problem at its source. The bidding process for the upgrade is currently underway, with the closing date set for 20 September 2026. For now, municipal teams will continue working on the existing drainage system while the process for the larger upgrade moves forward. The municipality apologised to residents for the inconvenience caused by the recurring sewerage problems and thanked them for their patience and understanding while the work continues.

The immediate clearing of the drains may provide some relief, but residents will now be watching the tender process closely, as the planned sewer-line upgrade could offer a more permanent answer to a problem that has returned more than once.

By Eileen van der Schyff