ONAS and Dakar residents clash over flooding causes

Residents of the Cité Bellevue neighborhood in Dakar are protesting against statements made by the Technical Director of the Office National de l'Assainissement du Sénégal (ONAS). Alassane Seck, president of the local residents' association, denied claims that the neighborhood was built on a natural waterway, arguing that the area has remained flood-free since its construction in the late 1980s.

Seck attributed the flooding to unplanned urbanization and the mismanagement of rainwater catchment zones, which he claims has diverted water flows toward the neighborhood. He also highlighted a dual environmental crisis involving both rainwater and the continuous discharge of wastewater and sludge, even during the dry season.

In response to recent flooding and sewage backups in Dakar following heavy rains on October 4, ONAS has called for increased cooperation between local authorities. The agency noted that the sanitation network is facing significant challenges, including aging infrastructure—some pipes are nearly 70 years old—and blockages caused by residents opening manholes to drain water, which introduces sand and solid waste into the system.