Atlantis Water Resource Management Scheme Monitoring Committee calls for members
15 September 2025
Interested and affected parties are invited to attend the inaugural Atlantis Water Resource Management Scheme (AWRMS) Monitoring Committee meeting on Friday, 19 September 2025. The committee will guide and oversee monitoring programmes linked to groundwater abstraction and managed aquifer recharge in Atlantis, ensuring compliance with water-use licence conditions.
The establishment of this committee is required under the integrated water-use licence (Licence number: 01/G21B/ACEFI/14333) issued to Cape Town by the National Department of Water and Sanitation in October 2024.
This licence authorises water-use activities for the refurbishment, operation, management and maintenance of the AWRMS for a period of 20 years, until October 2044.
The authorised water-use activities include:
• Groundwater abstraction from the Witzands and Silwerstroom wellfields
• Surface water abstraction from the Silwerstroom River (weir)
• Managed aquifer recharge using stormwater and treated effluent, from the domestic and industrial Wesfleur Wastewater Treatment Works
• Irrigation, using treated domestic effluent
• Discharge of treated effluent into the Donkergat River
‘Transparency through ongoing engagement with community stakeholders and other groundwater users who are potentially affected by abstraction at the Atlantis Water Resource Management Scheme is a top priority. This historical scheme is geared to produce 16 million litres of drinking water per day for Atlantis in the coming months,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.
Meeting details
All interested and affected parties are invited to attend the inaugural Atlantis Water Resource Management Scheme Monitoring Committee meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to elect a chairperson and to finalise the draft Terms of Reference (TOR).
Date: Friday, 19 September 2025
Time: 10:00 – 13:00
Venue: Atlantis Dunes, Dassenberg Drive (R307), Atlantis
For any enquiries or to nominate members of the committee, please contact Philani Msimango via email at Philani.Msimango@CapeTown.gov.za.
About the AWRMS
The AWRMS is a pioneer scheme, which has been in operation since the late 1970s. It integrates groundwater from the Witzands and Silwerstroom wellfields, surface water from the Silwerstroom River, as well as stormwater and treated effluent, for managed aquifer recharge.
Recognised as a key water supply scheme, the AWRMS is part of the City’s New Water Programme investment, identified for refurbishment. There is also potential to expand its wellfields, water treatment works and aquifer recharge infrastructure.
Currently, upgrades to the stormwater infrastructure and valves on the Melkbos pipeline used to pump water from Atlantis to the metropole, are under way and nearing completion. Once fully refurbished, with additional wellfields developed, the scheme is projected to be able to supply up to 24,6 Ml/d.
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Published by:
Media Office, City of Cape Town
