Upgrades completed to safeguard Cape Town’s sewer pump stations from vandalism

10 September 2025

Upgrading security at sewer pump stations took centre stage in the 2024/2025 financial year, with R40,1 million invested to refurbish 21 facilities across Cape Town. The Water and Sanitation Directorate initially set a target of 15 stations, but exceeded this by 40%, successfully completing 21 upgrades.

The City manages 487 sewer pump stations, which are essential in transferring sewage to wastewater treatment plants. In 2024/2025, priority was placed on improving this infrastructure to safeguard valuable components, protect public health and mitigate environmental risks.

Completing these security upgrades marks a major step in protecting essential service delivery facilities, against vandalism and theft. The work also enhances the durability of the structures, improves the appearance of pump station sites, and contributes to better day-to-day management.

‘Sewer pump stations have a critical role in conveying sewage from our communities to wastewater treatment facilities. Unfortunately, water and sanitation infrastructure has become a target for criminality and anti-social behaviour. By controlling site access and installing security measures, we are able to ensure that sites function optimally, thereby reducing the likelihood of sewer overflows caused by illegal tampering,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

The five most significant upgrades include:

1. Valhalla Pump Station – new concrete boundary wall, hard surfacing and a new guard house.
2. Elsies River Pump Station – building repairs, door replacement, new boundary wall, refurbished storage rooms, and a guard house with ablution facilities.
3. Ou Skip Pump Station, Melkbosstrand – new concrete wall and hard surfacing.
4. Muller Pump Station, Kraaifontein – new concrete wall, guard house, and hard surfacing.
5. Kuyasa Pump Station, Khayelitsha – new concrete wall and guard house.

Additional upgrades were carried out in Simon’s Town, Dunoon, Diep River, Somerset West, Strand, Belhar, Tygerhof, Kraaifontein, Kelderhof, Montclair, and Vredelust.

‘Our appeal is for residents, especially those living in close proximity to critical City infrastructure, to support the sustainability of these upgrades by being our eyes and ears on the ground. It makes a difference when we are all vigilant, reporting any information about threats or incidents of vandalism when they occur, so that it can be investigated,’ said Councillor Badroodien.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office