South Africans are making plans to get by themselves during load shedding, but Solidarity says long-term solutions that are sustainable must be introduced now. (Photo: Rhewal)
The City of Cape Town’s health department received almost 200 complaints over a period of 12 months about the noise generated by generators.
According to Patricia van der Ross, mayoral committee member for community services and health, 197 complaints about this were submitted to the city between February last year and February this year.
“This is more than three times the number of complaints compared to the 60 received in the previous 12 months.”
The sharp rise in complaints is directly linked to the continued load shedding. This leads to more and more residents and businesses using alternative power solutions to mitigate the effects of power outages.
“However, winter is getting closer and there are no indications of the end of load shedding in sight, so residents are advised to be aware of the guidelines regarding the use of generators,” says Van der Ross.
“Generators make life easier, but they require mutual understanding and consideration when it comes to their use near and in residential areas.
“Residents must make sure that the machines are installed correctly and work properly. Generators can make a lot of noise when in use, as well as being a source of exhaust gases and unpleasant smells. It all has to be carefully considered and managed,” says Van der Ross.
In terms of generator authorization processes, the Department of Energy regulates the process of embedded low-voltage generation installations in the city.
According to Van der Ross, there are a number of other regulations that must also be applied, including the City of Cape Town’s bylaw on air quality management, the bylaw on community fire safety related to fuel storage requirements and the Western Cape’s noise control regulations.
Van der Ross says residents must take the following regulations into account when using generators:
- Be aware of the requirements regarding the installation process and fuel storage.
- Be aware of the pollution factor, including noise and emissions that affect human health and climate change.
- Budget for possible noise reduction, as well as the elimination of fumes and ongoing maintenance of the plant.
More information on the installation of generators and compliance with regulations and requirements is available here: [LINKSHIELD PROTECTED] bit.ly/3KkB1VG
The city also encourages the use of alternative energy solutions such as solar power, inverters and battery storage, for those who can afford it.
The city requires that complete information, such as contact details, the location of the noise source and any other relevant information relating to the complaint, must be included when a noise complaint is submitted.
Officials will investigate the complaints and take necessary action to ensure compliance.
In the event of continued non-compliance, further legal action will be taken.
Noise complaints can be registered with the noise unit via e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at the City of Cape Town’s call center on 0860 103 089.
Complaints can also be submitted via the City’s e-services portal eservices1.capetown.gov.za/coct/wapl/zsreq_app/index.html.
