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City’s multi-million rand investment to strengthen the Helderberg’s sewer infrastructure on track

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is on track with investing about R430 million to upgrade key infrastructure in the Helderberg sewer system, including Trappies Bulk sewer, Gordon’s Bay pump station and rising main, as well as actioning sewer pipe replacements and maintaining coastal sewer pump stations. These projects are vital to improving the conveyance of sewage in the area and tackling overflows. While work continues, the public is reminded that our coastline, including Strand Beach, continues to enjoy good coastal water quality that is safe for swimming. See the Summer Dashboard: <a href="https://bit.ly/4dHk18h">https://bit.ly/4dHk18h</a>.

Trappies Bulk Sewer rehabilitation and Strand beach‘Thank you to our residents for their patience while critical upgrades are being done to our sewer network in Strand.‘The City of Cape Town acknowledges residents’ frustration following the ongoing sewer overflows affecting parts of Strand, including areas near the beach. We understand the concern this causes and wish to give a clear update on the causes, current responses and ongoing works. ‘In order to prioritise transparency of these multi-million rand investments, the City hosts quarterly feedback sessions with the community. The last public meeting took place in December 2025 to keep the community updated as transparency and communication with our residents are key. ‘Overflows experienced last year are the result of multiple, separate faults across the local sewer network, including blockages, pipe collapses, pump station failures, a sinkhole and legacy construction defects. While some incidents increase pressure on the network being upgraded, they are not all linked to the Trappies Bulk Sewer rehabilitation,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/trrappies%20repair.jpg" alt="" /></figure> Trappies Bulk Sewer rehabilitation (update)The R146 million Trappies upgrade remains the City’s priority to improve the sewer network in the area. R69,1 million is planned for this project during the current financial year - 2025/26. <ul><li> Works on De Villiers Street are substantially complete and were opened on 9 December 2025 with minor reinstatement works to be completed before the end of January 2026. </li><li> Works for the next section (to Joubert Street) will commence this year and further phases are scheduled for 2026, including work to address problems near the Lourens River. </li><li> The rehabilitation uses cured-in-pipe lining (creating a sealed lining within the current pipe) to avoid large excavations in confined working spaces while also managing challenging site conditions caused by prior incorrect installations.</li></ul> Gordon’s Bay Pump Station and Rising Main (status) The R279 million Gordon’s Bay Pump Station and Rising Main project is another investment to strengthen regional sewer capacity. The City plans to spend R117m on this project in 2025/26 financial year.<ul><li> Construction of the Rising Main began in March 2024 and is progressing toward an estimated commissioning in May 2026. The construction is 68% complete. </li><li> The pump station construction is approximately 78% complete, with 6005 metres of rising main (out of 7 503 metres) already installed. </li><li> Air valves and seven planned micro-tunnelling crossings are complete; one crossing required an open-trench solution due to unknown services.</li></ul>This project will improve reliability across the broader network that serves Strand and surrounding areas. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Gordon%27s%20Bay%20pump%20station%20construction%20at%204%20Decem.jpg" alt="" /></figure> Sewer pipe replacementsThe City is on track to rehabilitating 2000 m of sewer pipes in Louis Trichardt and surrounding streets in Somerset West at a total investment of R3,9 million. About R1,2 million has already been spent on this project during this 2025/2026 financial year. This is part of the City’s annual city-wide pipe replacement programme aimed at maintaining sewer pipes to help reliably convey sewage to homes and reduce the chances of overflows. Coastal sewer pump stations The City will also incur over a R1 million of additional expenditure to ensure ongoing optimal operations at the Gordon’s Bay Road, Sarel Cilliers and Da Gama coastal sewer pump stations, aimed at reducing the risk of overflows. This includes repairs and maintenance at Gordon’s Bay Road, and new spare pumps for Sarel Cilliers and Da Gama. Immediate mitigation measures already in placeTo reduce the risk of further overflows, the City has implemented:<ul><li>Adjusted pump station operating levels to relieve upstream pressure. </li><li>Increased screening maintenance and de-ragging.</li><li>Intensified monitoring of stormwater outfalls (including smoke testing to identify cross-connections). </li><li>Standby emergency teams and contractors available 24/7 throughout the festive season. </li></ul> Strand Beach’s coastal water quality ‘Residents and visitors can be assured that it is safe to enjoy Cape Town’s beaches, including Strand. The City has intensified monitoring along the Strand coastline, including the main surfing and swimming areas, with daily testing from Monday to Friday for the past 18 months – which is an exceptional frequency by global standards. Coastal water quality at Strand beach has been consistently good. ‘While sewer spills do occur, isolated incidents do not automatically mean water quality along the whole stretch is poor or unsafe. Some 245 samples have been collected between Strand and Gordon’s Bay in the last three months from 1 October to 31 December 2025, with 96% sample compliance. All nine sample failures were recorded in the first week of October when rainfall and sporadic sewer overflows, which were attended to at the time, were experienced. In contrast, in winter there is only a 77% compliance at the Strand Lifesaving club, illustrating the seasonal variance and that rainfall is a driving factor in coastal water quality,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews. The City’s Summer Dashboard, which provides weekly enterococci results for 30 of the most popular recreational beaches along the False Bay and Atlantic coastlines, is available <a href="https://bit.ly/4dHk18h" target="_blank">here</a>. Daily results for last three months can be found <a href="https://bit.ly/4sIH2ja" target="_blank">here</a>. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/rising%20main%20installation%20in%20Broadway%20Boulevard%20on.jpg" alt="" /></figure> Sewage Pollution Response ProtocoThe City follows a formal Coastal Sewage Pollution Response Protocol when overflows occur. This protocol is activated immediately and includes:<ul><li> Coordination and joint response by Environmental Health, Coastal Management and Water and Sanitation departments; On-site attendance to stop and contain the overflow; </li><li> Environmental sampling and laboratory testing to inform public health decisions; </li><li> Placement of Health warning signage and, where necessary, temporary beach closures as guided by Environmental Health and Coastal management. </li><li> Public communications and follow-up testing before reopening affected recreational areas.</li></ul> What residents can expect<ul><li><div>Removal of temporary over-pumping equipment along De Villiers Street and road reinstatement where safe. </div></li><li><div>Continued high-frequency monitoring of pump stations and stormwater outlets. </div></li><li><div>Rapid response capacity for any incidents, and timely public updates where required. </div></li><li><div>Placement of Health warning signs/temporary closures close to impacted areas for any incidents. </div></li><li><div>Permanent signage is in place in certain parts of the beach where there is a risk of the Trappies Bulk Sewer overflowing.</div></li></ul>‘The City is committed to resolving the issues affecting the Strand sewer network and to safeguarding public health and the marine environment. We will continue to provide regular updates as work progresses,’ said Councillor Badroodien. Residents should report sewer faults or overflows immediately via:<ul><li> WhatsApp: 060 018 1505 </li><li> Call Centre: 0860 103 089 </li><li> Email:<a href="mailto:water@capetown.gov.za">water@capetown.gov.za</a></li><li> SMS: 31373 </li></ul>

2026-01-13T22:00:00Z

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