All systems go for Trappies Sewer rehabilitation, pump station projects
30 April 2025
The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is pleased to announce that a contractor has been appointed for the Trappies Bulk Sewer rehabilitation project. This is one of the key infrastructure upgrades that will help tackle sewer overflows in Strand and Gordon’s Bay.
This critical infrastructure upgrade aims to restore the 900mm diameter bulk sewer pipeline to function optimally and reduce frequent failures and overflows in areas like Strand and Gordon’s Bay, particularly during heavy winter rains when stormwater ingress puts excessive pressure on the system.
‘The City remains committed to upgrading and maintaining its sewer infrastructure to enhance system reliability, reduce environmental risks, and improve service delivery. These critical projects, alongside ongoing emergency interventions, are key to ensuring a more sustainable and resilient sewer system for Cape Town’s communities. We appreciate residents’ patience while this critical work is being done to benefit communities,’ said City's Acting Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Siseko Mbandezi.
Trappies Sewer rehabilitation
The rehabilitation work of the 900mm diameter section spans from the Main Road and De Villiers Street intersection to the Lourens River Sewer Pump Station. The City will be using Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) technology, an innovative method that reinforces existing pipelines by inserting and curing a liner inside the damaged pipe, effectively restoring it to a near-new condition.
Progress to date
• The city-wide framework tender for CIPP lining of sewer lines (500mm to 900mm in diameter) was finalised on 12 February 2025. A Professional Service Provider was appointed to oversee the construction.
• The contractor for the rehabilitation works accepted the first works package on 28 March 2025.
• To minimise delays, the contractor has temporarily set up their site camp at the Lourens River Sewer Pump Station until their proposed camp site is approved.
• The contractor started with works on site from 8 April 2025.
• The rehabilitation is being implemented in phases, with the 450mm diameter section of CIPP lining already completed in the 2023 financial year. The current phase prioritises the 900mm diameter, the 2 300m stretch in De Villiers Street, Joubert Street and Fagan Street.
• Due to the nature of the work, the project is divided into four staggered work packages with two to three months between each start date to accommodate over-pumping requirements. The first work package, along De Villiers Street, is set to be completed by the end of January 2026.
Gordon’s Bay pump station and rising main project
The Gordon’s Bay pump station project is another critical initiative aimed at reducing pressure on the Trappies Bulk Sewer by diverting sewage from Gordon’s Bay to the Sir Lowry’s Pass outfall sewer via an 7.5km rising main.
The construction of the pump station will consist of a wet well, dry well, motor control room, generator and ablution facility. Other upgrades include the sand trap and flow meter chamber.
Project status
Construction started in March 2024 and is expected to be completed in December 2025.
Project progress to date
• Pump station excavation: 100% complete
• Pump station construction: 52% complete
• Rising main installation: 2 624m of 7 503m complete
• Construction air valve chambers: 3 of 13 complete
• Micro-tunnelling: 5 of 7 crossings complete (Sercor, Broadway Blvd, Railway Crossing, Main Road, Soet River). Onverwacht crossing is in progress and currently at 45% complete
End
Published by:
Media Office, City of Cape Town
