Brand new high-tech trucks and vehicles added to Water and Sanitation’s fleet

02 September 2024

Over R105 million was spent to purchase light motor vehicles, plant equipment and new specialised trucks as well as a mobile laboratory for the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate. This will enhance the directorate’s fleet capacity to clear sewer blockages, provide water during water disruptions and even assist to refuel generators at City pump stations and treatment plants. 

For the 2023/2024 financial year, the City made another significant investment to enhance its fleet. This is crucial in ensuring sustainable water and sanitation services across the city. The City proudly added a few technologically-advanced vehicles to supplement its existing fleet, including:

·       Three jet-machine trucks used to clear sewer blockages, with a built in capacity of 7 000 litres. This is an increase from the previous jet-machine trucks, which had a 5 000-litre capacity.

·       Four combination-unit trucks with a combined capacity of 14 500 litres; able to carry 9 500 litres of sewage waste and 5 000 litres of potable water. 

·       Six super-sucker trucks with a capacity of 12 500 litres; able to suck up approximately 200 litres in six seconds via a 60 meter pipe. 

·       One 4x4 crew cab mobile laboratory for immediate off-site water testing conducted by the Scientific Services Branch. 

In total, 109 vehicles were procured, 39 of which are additional to the existing fleet while 70 are replacing ageing or redundant fleet.

The City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien visited Water and Sanitation's fleet services with the operator drivers to receive the new trucks and showcase their advanced capabilities.

'We're investing in new trucks constantly to ensure that every Capetonian gets a quick turnaround on their service requests. It was a pleasure to see these new trucks arriving and even to learn how to use them. I have great respect for our hardworking teams who service our City, and I'm pleased they've now got new, improved trucks and equipment to fulfil their responsibilities.

'While the City is investing in water and sanitation infrastructure to ensure blockages can be cleared effectively, among other things, we also remind residents they can help us reduce sewer overflows. Please do not use toilets, kitchen sinks and sewer drains to dispose of dirt. Let's be mindful of what we are flushing down our toilets, pouring down our sinks and allowing to enter the sewer drains,' said Councillor Badroodien.

Visit the City's website for tips on how residents can help keep our sewers clear: www.capetown.gov.za/blocked-sewers

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office