Cape Town shoring up its water resilience as construction at Philippi Wellfield progresses
28 August 2025
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis visited the City of Cape Town’s Philippi Wellfield and Water Treatment Works (WTW) site to check on progress being made at one of the flagship components of the City’s efforts to secure a new fresh water supply for the future.
Once complete, the Philippi wellfield will deliver 10 million litres of clean drinking water per day into the City’s supply system. The facility will use ultra-filtration (UF), reverse osmosis (RO), and ultraviolet (UV) treatment technologies to ensure that the water meets the highest global drinking water standards.
Construction began in July 2024, with the civil works valued at R181 million scheduled for completion by September 2026. Electrical and mechanical works will follow, with water supply planned from 2028.
‘This project is part of the City’s plan to deliver 300 million litres a day of drinking water from new sources by the end of this decade. This will ensure our city’s future water security, so that our city will never have to face the kind of water crisis we experienced in 2017. It’s encouraging to see the significant progress being made here in Philippi. This is a very impressive plant with the best global technology in water filtration.’ said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
‘Beyond drinking water, the project will also strengthen the aquifer by enhancing water quality, stabilising groundwater levels, and reducing the risk of salinity linked to climate change and sea-level rise. The Philippi Wellfield represents the future of water in Cape Town and our ability to find alternative sources to provide clean, reliable supply, while protecting the environment,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.
Development of the Hanover Park Wellfield, which is linked to Philippi, is also progressing well, with the main pipeline on track for completion later this year.
The Philippi Wellfield is one of five wellfields under development by the City of Cape Town, which are expected to be fully commissioned by 2030/31 as part of Cape Town’s broader New Water Programme.
Caption 1 & 2: The Philippi Wellfield construction site.
Caption 3: Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation Cllr Zahid Badroodien have a look at the final building design drawing at the construction site.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
