Zandvliet upgrade passes the halfway mark
20 December 2020
Mayor Dan Plato joined Alderman Xanthea Limberg at the Zandvliet Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) on Friday, 18 December 2020, to view progress to date of the expansion and upgrade of the facility. This project was the City's largest capital project in the 2019/2020 financial year, and once completed, will see a higher quality of treated effluent leaving the plant, and will unlock development in this rapidly growing region within the city.
The R1.9 billion upgrade to the Zandvliet Wastewater Treatment Works is now more than halfway complete, with significant milestones reached during 2020. This upgrade, which will ultimately see an 18Ml/d expansion in capacity, was the City's single largest capital project in 2019/20. The facility serves the communities of Delft, Mfuleni, Blue Downs and Khayelitsha – one of the fastest growing catchments in the metro.
‘Wastewater treatment capacity has been a major constraint to development in the catchment for a decade and something the City and the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) have been determined to address. The project has had many setbacks but is now fully underway and delivering at pace to unlock future development in the catchment and promote growth in this key part of the city,’ said Executive Mayor Dan Plato.
The Civil work for the Dewatering building was completed in June, and the Inlet Works, Primary Settling Tanks, and pump stations were completed on 14 December 2020.
‘Significant progress has been made since we last visited the facility in February this year, with budget expenditure standing at 57% of the total tender value. Construction is proceeding apace in order to complete within the shortest possible deadline and deliver the full upgrade by August 2023,’ said Alderman Xanthea Limberg, the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste.
In addition to the increased capacity, a new preliminary treatment process and upgrade of the existing treatment modules will ensure that the quality of the treated effluent being discharged meets or exceeds all license requirements as laid out by the National Department of Water and Sanitation.
‘The City has prioritised river water quality and increased planned spending for wastewater treatment by R11 billion over the 10 years. This is a key component of the City's goal of becoming Water Sensitive by 2040. Measurable improvements to the environment are a marathon as opposed to a sprint, and it's critical that work and investment is sustained at this level. The City will be embarking on upgrades of similar size in Potsdam in the near future and Athlone thereafter,’ said Alderman Limberg.
Despite challenges associated with the National lockdown, and occupation of the land adjacent to the plant along Baden Powell Drive, all four contracts are on programme. Both of the Civil Contractors are employing labour sourced from the local community, and local enterprises are providing sub-contracting services as well. This has been made possible through the cooperation of the local councillors, ensuring communities benefit from employment opportunities.
‘I would like to thank the City staff and the contractors who have remained committed to seeing this massive project stay on track, during a uniquely challenging year. I am very pleased with the progress with a project that brings about meaningful benefits to both the environment and the local economy,’ said Alderman Plato.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
