Progress continues apace at the Zandvliet Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW), with almost 80% of the total mechanical installations complete. The Zandvliet WWTW serves one of the fastest growing catchments in the city – including Delft, Mfuleni, Blue Downs and Khayelitsha. At an estimated cost of R1,9 billion, this state-of-the-art upgrade is one of the biggest capital projects on the City’s budget.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste Alderman Xanthea Limberg and Water and Waste Portfolio Committee chairperson Alderman Clive Justus, visited the site to view construction progress. See the video here: https://youtu.be/rA9rKhPo9y4.
Great strides have been made at the Zandvliet WWTW over the past 10 months, with construction of the new inlet works, upper screw pump station, primary settling tanks, and membrane biological reactor (MBR) pump station and fine screening facility now complete. These facilities are now in the ‘cold commission’ phase and City engineers expect them to be fully brought online by next week.
The upgrade will result in an 18Ml/d expansion in capacity, and the project is on track for completion by the scheduled date of August 2023, if not sooner. In addition to the increased capacity, a new primary treatment process and upgrade of the existing treatment modules will ensure that a high quality treated effluent is discharged, meeting or exceeding all licence requirements as laid out by the National Department of Water and Sanitation.
Read: R160m Refurbishment of Mitchells Plain WWTW Nearing Completion
‘The rate of progress visible on site is immense, and I commend the team for remaining dedicated to seeing this project through on schedule, despite unforeseen challenges. For example, last year a land invasion on an adjacent piece of land along Baden Powell Drive meant that the laying of an electric cable had to be re-routed. Engineering projects inherently involve unpredictable developments and our staff and contractors have proven agile in finding workable solutions that keep the project on track.
‘Wherever possible, contractors have employed labour sourced from the local community, and local enterprises have provided sub-contracting services as well. This has been made possible through the cooperation of the local councillors, ensuring communities benefit from employment opportunities.
‘The City is driving major investment in wastewater infrastructure to support sustainable development while advancing towards the goal of becoming a water sensitive city by 2040. The Water and Sanitation Department is projected to spend a minimum of R8 billion in WWTW upgrades over the next 10 years, with several projects well under way. Aside from Zandvliet, the majority of funds are being allocated to the Potsdam, Macassar, Athlone, and Cape Flats Biosolids WWTWs.
‘I would also like to thank Cape Town residents, who contribute to this investment by paying their water and sanitation accounts. The City understands that this has been a difficult time for many, and it is thus important to share the substantial progress that is being made to support growth and keep servicing running now and into the future. This is your tariffs in action,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste Alderman Xanthea Limberg.
