Replacing aged water and sewer infrastructure is the long-term solution to reducing pipe bursts and leaks. There are several pipe replacement projects currently under way across Cape Town, now including a new leg in Southfield.

A total of R3,4 million has been allocated to replace 100mm and 150mm diameter fiber-cement water pipes in the area where excavations and installations began in February 2024. The project is scheduled to be completed by June 2024.

Multiple factors inform the City's pipe replacement model, during the planning phase, before pipes are replaced in different areas. These include the age, size and condition of the pipes, the frequency and location of bursts, cost of damage to infrastructure and the rate of water or sewer service delivery disruptions. 

In Southfield, the declining condition of pipes due to age started causing more frequent bursts. This was the main driver for replacement. New and improved 110mm and 160mm diameter uPVC pipes are a cost effective alternative and manufactured to last at least another 50 years.

Replacement is being done using the open-trench excavation method, which requires excavation of roads and sidewalks to lay down pipes.

Teams working on the ground employ multiple techniques for laying, installation and joining leadings, securing pipe fittings, as well as replacing valves and hydrants. Thereafter they also ensure that the system is properly flushed and water pressure tested when supply is restored, with the new pipes in place.

The City is proud to have been able to recruit three local workers, to form part of the nine-person project team.

'Replacing pipes systematically, reduces the recurrence of disruptions in the future. It also gives us an opportunity to plan ahead and prepare a budget for rehabilitation, based on the most recent projections of usage and wear and tear.

'External factors such as vandalism and population growth also have a direct impact on the durability of water and sanitation infrastructure,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councilor Zahid Badroodien. 

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