Sections of Monwabisi and Macassar Beaches closed for removal of temporary desalination infrastructure

24 May 2021

A section of Macassar Beach will be closed from Monday, 24 May 2021 to Monday, 31 May 2021, while a contractor removes infrastructure linked to the temporary Monwabisi desalination plant. There will also be a partial closure of Monwabisi Beach on Tuesday, 25 May 2021, to remove an underwater pipeline. The plant ended production last year and current operations are related to the contractor removing equipment and infrastructure, after the completion of a two-year contract with the City.

Visitors to Macassar Beach should please note that the area next to the demarcated bathing area will be temporarily closed for an eight-day period, from Monday, 24 May 2021 until Monday, 31 May 2021. Simultaneously, on Tuesday, 25 May 2021, a section of Monwabisi Beach, located at the breakwater area, will also be temporarily closed to the public. These closures will allow a City contractor to remove the desalination plant’s intake pipeline.

The operation is focused on the detachment of the pipeline from the sea bed so that it may be floated from Monwabisi to Macassar for extraction. Sea craft at Monwabisi Beach will tow the pipeline and will make use of this stretch of beach to remotely house their equipment to aerate the infrastructure. Aerating the infrastructure will make it more buoyant and ease the process of transporting the pipeline.

The date listed has been predicted as favourable to conduct towing and removal operations in terms of weather and tidal conditions (spring tide).

The sectional closures will not affect beachgoers as the public swimming area will remain open during removal operations. 

Once the intake pipeline has been fully removed, the City will ensure that the area is restored to the same condition as before.

The City thanks residents in advance for their patience and cooperation.

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office