No Donkey Business – Preparations under way for concrete slab and septic sewer line.

Significant progress is being made on the installation of a new septic system, a critical upgrade for the property's infrastructure. This week, we are focused on two key preparatory tasks: constructing the form-work for a reinforced concrete slab and laying the initial sewer lines, this work is all being done in Cape Town and will be assembled in Brandvlei.

The reinforced concrete slab is a non-negotiable safety requirement. It will be positioned directly over the new septic tank, providing a strong, durable surface that mitigates risk and ensures long-term stability. The need for this robust safety measure was underscored by a past incident where a community member’s donkey fell through the previous, un-reinforced septic tank cover, requiring a major community effort to rescue it. This unfortunate event highlighted the critical importance of a properly constructed and reinforced cover slab.

Alongside the slab preparations, we are also measuring and cutting the 110mm PVC pipe for the sewer feeder and vent lines. These pipes will create the direct connection from the house's and outbuilding’s main black waste-water piping to the new septic tank.

While the aim is to have the new concrete slab laid by the end of the year, the new septic tank will not be fully commissioned until our new bathrooms are completed and fully plumbed. Until then, the property will continue to use the existing cement tank. The new system represents a significant step forward in ensuring the safety and efficiency of our property's waste management infrastructure.