Efforts to restore water quality highlighted during oversight visit | Efforts to restore water quality highlighted during oversight visit | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/City%20news.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <p>Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo, concluded the Western Cape leg of his anti-pollution oversight visit in Cape Town on Saturday, 25 January 2025. The City presented key interventions and infrastructural upgrades targeted at improving inland water quality, while leading the delegation through wastewater treatment works (WWTW), pump stations and sections of the Diep River.</p> | <p> During the visit, the Deputy Minister engaged with the City’s Water and Sanitation senior leadership, spearheaded by Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien. They discussed the ongoing initiatives aimed at combatting pollution in critical water resources, specifically along the Diep River and Milnerton Lagoon. </p><p>A comprehensive overview of the investment in infrastructure at Zandvliet WWTW, Potsdam WWTW, sewer pump stations and the pipe replacement programme was provided; and a discussion ensued on how best to address the challenges of daily wastewater volumes and the root causes of sewer overflows.</p>
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<p>‘The oversight visit provided valuable insights into the state of pollution and the efforts being made to address it. Our focus has been on two critical areas – the City's significant investment in upgrading and maintaining wastewater treatment infrastructure, and the growing challenges posed by rapid population growth,’ said Deputy Minister Seitlholo.</p><h4>Site tours: Zandvliet WWTW</h4><p>Following the completion of a
<strong>R2 billion refurbishment and capacity upgrade</strong>, Zandvliet WWTW has seen a significant enhancement in the quality of treated effluent. The upgrade includes the installation of a second membrane bioreactor for advanced water purification. </p><p>The output at this site plays a crucial role in the implementation of the City’s New Water Programme, facilitating the future Faure New Water Scheme for purified recycled water, to add 70 million to 100 million litres a day to the drinking water supply system.</p>
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<h4>Potsdam WWTW</h4><p>The delegation also visited Potsdam WWTW, which is currently a busy construction site,
<strong>undergoing a substantial R5,2 billion upgrade to boost its capacity and improve effluent quality.</strong> While the full benefits of this project will only be realised on completion of the entire scope of work around late 2027, the conclusion of some process units has been accelerated to derive the benefit of improved treated effluent quality earlier, by mid-2025. </p><p>Although the project has encountered challenges, including the impact of sewer collapses on the Montague Drive pipeline, treated effluent compliance levels have already improved, made possible through added bypass pumping capacity. </p><p>Another enhancement is the cleaning and repairing of the Primary Settling Tanks at Potsdam WWTW currently in progress and due for completion around the end of February 2025. </p>
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<h4>Lourens River Sewer Pump Station</h4><p>Sewer networks and pump stations are essential for collecting and directing wastewater to WWTWs. Unfortunately, <strong>all pump stations across the city are vulnerable to the improper disposal of items</strong> such as construction rubble, condoms, earbuds, wet wipes, rags, plastics, and cotton swabs
<strong>which block pipes and cause mechanical failures, resulting in sewer overflows.</strong> The Lourens River pump station, is a crucial part of the network in the area, which requires the continued support from residents against these foreign objects. </p><p>On his visit, the Deputy Minister observed filtering screens full of debris and was briefed on the vulnerability of mechanical equipment to unwanted foreign objects.</p><h4>Dunoon Informal Settlement</h4><p>During a drive through of Dunoon, at a
<strong>highly polluted area near the Malibongwe bridge</strong>, the Deputy Minister saw the visible effects of various pollution sources affecting water quality in the Diep River. </p><h4>Milnerton Lagoon</h4><p>At the final site, the City outlined
<strong>multiple transversal interventions aimed at addressing pollution that causes foul odour at the Milnerton Lagoon</strong>. It’s envisaged that
<strong>over time</strong>, these multiple interventions – such as the crucial upgrades to the Koeberg Pump Station and Potsdam WWTW, the replacement of ageing sewer infrastructure, and the exploration of bioremediation technologies – will support odour mitigation and improve water flow.</p><p>‘The City is pleased to have hosted the Deputy Minister and to have had the opportunity to walk him through essential parts of the City’s Water and Sanitation system. The contributions made support continued efforts towards effectively resolving the compromised condition of the Diep River and Milnerton Lagoon. We also look forward to further collaboration and engagement in our shared commitment to improving water quality across the city,’ said Councillor Badroodien.</p><p>‘I am satisfied with the City’s interventions to address the challenges facing the Milnerton Lagoon through the upgrade of the Potsdam Wastewater Treatment Works. However, the rapid expansion of informal settlements in Dunoon has created additional pressure on water resources, significantly impacting the lagoon. Looking ahead, the National Department, local authorities, and the City will work together to formulate short- and medium-term plans to tackle the pressing issues affecting the Milnerton Lagoon,’ the Deputy Minister concluded.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>End</strong></p><p><strong></strong> </p> | 2025-01-27T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d | | | | | GP0|#a3ac5825-3464-4e1b-a58b-75c8b257d806;L0|#0a3ac5825-3464-4e1b-a58b-75c8b257d806|water & sanitation;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#5fb0fd45-1240-41c9-aaeb-627cbd4a11ab;L0|#05fb0fd45-1240-41c9-aaeb-627cbd4a11ab|Health;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#36a1168d-a508-46b6-bc80-b2e9f2f35a0b;L0|#036a1168d-a508-46b6-bc80-b2e9f2f35a0b|Community and Society;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |