| City urges parents to act early and prevent diarrhoea this summer | City urges parents to act early and prevent diarrhoea this summer | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Former%20Mayors%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | City's Health Service information on the prevention and treatment of diarrhoea this summer | <p>The hot weather over summer promotes the spread of germs, and this increases the number of children who get sick with diarrhoea and dehydration, especially during the months of November and May – known as the “surge season”.</p><p>Dehydration is a common side effect of diarrhoeal disease and can be dangerous especially for babies and young children. <br>That is why healthcare workers are on high alert with staff ready to provide quick, compassionate care and emergency treatment when needed.</p><p>But prevention starts at home.</p><p> ‘We ask parents to stay alert, know the signs of dehydration and take simple steps to protect their children. Prevention remains the simplest way to protect your children, and that starts with clean water, regular handwashing, and proper food handling,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.</p><p>While City Health is ready to respond, prevention and early home care remain the most powerful tools.</p><p> Parents and caregivers can reduce the risk through the following daily habits:<br>• Use safe, clean water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning bottles<br>• Breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of life<br>• Keep food covered and discard leftovers that have been standing for long periods<br>• Dispose of nappies safely and keep play areas clean.</p><p><br>In addition to the above, it’s very important to wash hands with soap and clean water before preparing food, feeding a child, and after using the toilet or changing nappies.</p><p><br>In the event that a child has diarrhoea, it is essential to increase their fluid intake, to prevent dehydration.</p><p><br>An oral rehydration solution or the Sugar-Salt Solution (SSS) can be prepared at home by mixing one litre of clean, safe water with eight level teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt. Stir until completely dissolved and give the child small sips often — even if they vomit, keep offering slowly.</p><p><br>For mothers that are breastfeeding, continue to do so as it’s the best fluid for your baby.</p><p><br> Seek help immediately if you notice any of the following danger signs:<br>· Child is very thirsty or unable to drink<br>· Sunken eyes or dry mouth<br>· Few or no tears when crying<br>· Drowsiness, weakness, or irritability<br>· Blood in the stool<br>· Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea lasting more than two days<br>· Less or no urine (dry nappies)</p><p><br>Caregivers are encouraged to ensure that all children are up to date with their routine immunisations. In addition, Rotarix drops is particularly important as we enter the surge season, to help protect children under six months against severe diarrhoeal disease caused by rotavirus.</p><p><br>All City Health clinics have activated their summer surge plans and are stocked with supplies to treat dehydration. For more information visit your nearest City Health clinic: <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/City%20Health%20Department">https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/City%20Health%20Department</a></p><p> End</p> | 2025-11-07T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Your City in 60 seconds | Your City in 60 seconds | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Site%20Images/Media%20Centre%20Header%20Image.jpeg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | Catch up on the latest important City news updates with your City in 60 seconds. | <p>Each week, we share a new video giving you a snapshot of what we are up to in your community.</p><div class="responsive-media">
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<strong>Composting is easy – get your bin this month</strong></a>
<br>Claim your FREE home composting bin this November.
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<br>Report illegal dumping: 0800 110 077 | To clear dumping: 0860 103 089.
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<img class="responsive" alt="Open Streets in the Inner City, Langa this summer as City, Young Urbanists team-up" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/street-car-free-380.jpg" />
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<strong>Open Streets in the Inner City, Langa this summer as City, Young Urbanists team-up</strong>
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<br>Bree Street is car-free every Sunday till March!
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<strong>Chess@Libraries delivers bold moves</strong></a>
<br>50+ City libraries now host regular chess clubs!
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| City issues third annual spatial trends report depicting land use changes in Cape Town | City issues third annual spatial trends report depicting land use changes in Cape Town | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Building%20plan%20applications%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | The City’s latest Spatial Trends and Implementation Tracking Report, issued in celebration of World Town Planning Day tomorrow, gives an overview of development and land use patterns in Cape Town over the last decade | <p><br>The City’s third Spatial Trends and Implementation Tracking Report gives an overview of development and land use patterns in Cape Town from 2012 to 2025. </p><p>These include changes in densification and mixed use development, the extent of the city’s built footprint, the extent of our natural and agricultural assets, changes in the property market, uptake of new development and human settlement patterns. </p><p>The report also tracks public investment and projects aimed at restructuring and upgrading urban areas; and monitors public capital expenditure over time. This year’s report takes the form of a supplementary update as last year’s edition provided a major review.</p><p>‘Given Cape Town’s topography, we have limited land available for development, which means we have to make best use of this scarce resource and in a manner that is cost efficient, and also protective of our natural environment. Where and how we develop land determines how far people need to commute to get to work, and how much the City and its ratepayers need to spend on infrastructure for the provision of water, sanitation, and electricity, and a road network to support mobility. This means we need to prevent urban sprawl which has a direct impact on economic growth, commuting distances, inclusivity, spatial justice, and the city’s collective resilience to climate change and unforeseen shocks.</p><p>‘As such, the City’s spatial planning policies call for high density and developments where residential and employment land uses are mixed. These developments should be located within Central Business Areas and along mobility corridors. We need higher densities in central locations to meet the demand for affordable housing of our growing population. Concurrently, the City will, over the next decade or so, spend R120 billion on expanding infrastructure to facilitate densification. This means improved services infrastructure to meet the growing demand for water, electricity, sanitation, roads, and transport. Densification done right not only brings new investment opportunities for landowners, but also improves the business outlook for small and medium businesses as the customer base is bigger in high density areas,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.</p><p>• The Spatial Trends and Implementation Tracking Report is available here: <a href="https://bit.ly/SpatialTrendsReport" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/SpatialTrendsReport</a> </p><p>Residents and professionals in the urban planning and built environment, academics, and investors are encouraged to go online, and scrutinise this user-friendly report. The data and trends are depicted in graphics and maps, and key summaries are provided. It is easy to read, and gives an overview of changes in land use and development patterns over the past decade, and also serves as a monitoring record of the impact of our main spatial strategies.</p><p>‘By looking back and identifying the spatial trends over this period, we can look ahead and plan better. We use these trends to develop interventions to cater for a Cape Town that may very likely have double the population it has right now, by 2050,’ said Alderman Andrews.</p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">The indicators in the report depict significant spatial trends within Cape Town</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Urban expansion continues to reshape the city's landscape, while environmental impact assessments highlight the ongoing efforts to balance development with sustainability</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Residential density in targeted areas shows a shift towards more inward growth, indicating progress towards policy objectives while noting that residential density varies across different communities</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">The locations of non-residential land uses are still concentrated in our main Industrial and Business Areas, but with more opportunities located inside the traditional suburbs. The City also developed more than 70 profiles for Industrial and Business Areas in Cape Town, reflecting land use and build environment information over the past decade. Find the Economic Area Profiles here: <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/planning-portal/spatial-analysis-and-research/economic-area-profiles" target="_blank">capetown.gov.za/work and business/planning-portal/spatial-analysis-and-research/economic-area-profiles </a></div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">The data on government-subsidised housing and capital expenditure also underscores the City's commitment to inclusive growth and infrastructure development</div></li></ul><p>For more information on the City’s Urban Planning and Design projects please visit <a href="https://bit.ly/UrbanPlanningandDesign" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/UrbanPlanningandDesign</a> . <br> <br></p> | 2025-11-06T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Wildevoëlvlei wastewater facility treated to R280 million upgrade | Wildevoëlvlei wastewater facility treated to R280 million upgrade | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/City%20news.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | The City is committed to investing in its Wastewater Treatment Plants | <span><p>Constructed in 1977, the Wildevoëlvlei WWTW services Fish Hoek, Kommetjie, Noordhoek, Ocean View, and Masiphumelele, with a maximum capacity of 14,5 ML/day. Its first upgrade in 1999 increased capacity from 7,5 ML/day to 14,5 ML/day. The plant employs eight permanent and three EPWP staff and is located in the scenic seaside town of Kommetjie.</p><p>The facility uses a conventional activated sludge system:</p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Preliminary treatment: Screening and de-gritting to remove large foreign material and trash as well as stones, grit and sand.</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Secondary treatment: Biological reactor and carouse to break down the organic matter as well as nitrogen and phosphorus in sewage.</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Sludge handling/dewatering: enables the sludge to be disposed of safely offsite.</div></li></ul>
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<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Wildevo%c3%ablvlei%20wastewater%20facility%20treated%20to%20R280%20million%20upgrade%201.JPG" alt="" style="width:948px;" /> </figure><span>The treated effluent processed at the WWTW is of a good standard and flows into the Wildevoëlvlei, which drains into the ocean via Kommetjie Beach.<br><p>Upgrades under way<br>The current refurbishment includes a new, larger-capacity dewatering facility featuring the latest mechanical equipment, scheduled for commissioning by November 2026. Full project completion is expected by April 2027.</p><p>‘The City is committed to investing in its Wastewater Treatment Plants. This facility was earmarked for upgrades due to ageing infrastructure. Six months into the upgrade, progress is on track, and these improvements will ultimately enhance treated effluent quality and organic load control. We look forward to seeing the work completed next year,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.</p><p>The upgrade also involves refurbishing existing mechanical equipment, such as mixers and aeration systems, to enhance biological treatment efficiency. These improvements will increase operating capacity, boost operational efficiency and further improve effluent quality.<br></p>
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<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Wildevo%c3%ablvlei%20wastewater%20facility%20treated%20to%20R280%20million%20upgrade%202.JPG" alt="" style="width:948px;" /> </figure></span></span><p>Plans are also in place for a treated effluent pump station valued at R40,4 million (incl. VAT), with construction expected to start early in 2026. This facility will improve access to treated effluent in Kommetjie and neighbouring areas, supporting the City’s goal of reducing pressure on drinking water resources.</p><p>A further capacity upgrade is planned for 2032, with current planning and design work already under way.</p><p>Caption 1: Construction of the new, larger dewatering facility at the Wildevoëlvlei WWTW.</p><p>Caption 2: Morne Gericke (Plant Manager) and Mehboob Rawood (Senior Superintendent) at the point where treated effluent flows into the Wildevoëlvlei.</p><p>Caption 3: (Dropbox) One of the biological reactors at the Wildevoëlvlei WWTW.</p><p>Caption 4: (Dropbox) Staff at the Wildevoëlvlei WWTW, from left: Mehboob Rawood, Izak Booysen, Phillip Thompson, Clint Roubain, Clement Savage, Morne Gericke, Palesa Majozi, Waseem Hajwanie, Ivan Johnson, Shirley Mbemba.<br></p><p> </p><p><strong>End</strong></p> | 2025-11-06T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
