City invests R5,7 million in new water infrastructure for Macassar

05 March 2026

With dam levels dropping, saving water and ensuring residents continue to enjoy a reliable water supply remains a priority for the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate. A critical part of safeguarding water supply is the proactive replacement of ageing infrastructure to reduce leaks and prevent costly pipe bursts. Recently, approximately 2,34km of ageing fibre cement water mains were replaced in Macassar to the value of R5,7 million.

The water pipe replacement project in Macassar started in October 2025 and is scheduled to be completed in March 2026. Some 100m of 50mm diameter fibre cement pipes will be replaced with 110mm high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes. These new pipes are cost-effective, have a longer lifespan and meet South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) specifications.

'Proactively replacing pipe networks makes us better prepared for rapid population growth. It also allows us to systematically plan and budget for rehabilitation of the expected wear and tear of infrastructure. Another significant benefit is that pipe replacement reduces leaks, helping us conserve water,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien.

The work covers several streets, including Musica, Doh, Fah, Ray and Mes. It forms part of the City’s broader commitment to investing in the renewal of water infrastructure that depreciates over time. In the 2025/2026 financial year, R239,5 million has been allocated to the city-wide water pipe replacement programme, underscoring the City’s continued investment in water resilience.

The method used for this pipe replacement project is open-trench for the following reasons:

• Suitability: It is the most suitable method where there is dense existing services.
• Visibility and access: it provides full visibility of the site, simplifying the identification of existing utilities and potential hazards.
• Cost: It is cheaper than trenchless methods during the planning phase, as it avoids specialised, high-cost machinery.
• Local economic benefit: The method supports labour-intensive work, creating employment opportunities within the community.

Caption 1: Ward 109 Councillor, Cllr Peter George Helfrich, with Sam July (City-appointed contractor) and Thembinkosi Lomboza (City Project Manager).

Caption 2: Replacement of 2,34km of ageing water mains in Macassar as part of the City’s infrastructure renewal programme.

Caption 3: (Dropbox) From left: Ward 109 Councillor Cllr Peter George Helfrich, Sam July (Construction Manager), Asanele Peter (Assistant Project Manager), Hope Mhlangala (Contractor) and Thembinkosi Lomboza (City Project Manager) during site works in Macassar.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office