The R280 million upgrade of Wildevoëlvlei Wastewater Treatment Works in Kommetjie is 70% complete, with improvements set to strengthen treatment processes and operational reliability. A new treated effluent pump station is also being built to expand opportunities for water reuse. 

The project, which began in May 2025, will improve the plant’s treatment processes and operational efficiency, helping it serve the growing communities of Fish Hoek, Kommetjie, Noordhoek, Ocean View and Masiphumelele while supporting environmental protection.

The plant currently has a maximum treatment capacity of 14,5 million litres per day (ML/d). Treated effluent from this plant flows into the Wildevoëlvlei, which ultimately drains into the ocean via Kommetjie Beach.
 
Key improvements include:

• Building a new dewatering facility with more than double its current capacity, equipped with modern mechanical equipment. This will help improve the treated effluent produced at the WWTW. The current dewatering facility has a design treatment capacity of 302 kg/hr. Following the upgrade, it will have a design capacity of 800 kg/hr, resulting in a significant increase in sludge processing capability. The upgraded installation will also include an additional belt train available as a standby unit, providing operational back-up capacity and improved reliability.
• Refurbishing and upgrading the existing mechanical equipment. New mixers and aeration systems will enhance the biological treatment process, supporting more efficient and reliable plant operations.

The upgraded infrastructure is scheduled to be commissioned by April 2027.
  
New pump station to expand treated effluent use

Construction of a new treated effluent pump station, valued at R35,1 million, began in December 2025. Designed to handle 146 litres per second, the pump station will enable the City to expand the supply of treated effluent to Kommetjie and neighbouring areas.

Treated effluent can be used for suitable non-drinking purposes, such as irrigation, reducing demand on drinking water supplies and supporting the sustainable use of Cape Town’s water resources.
 
‘We need wastewater treatment infrastructure that can keep pace with the needs of our growing communities. This upgrade will strengthen the way Wildevoëlvlei treats wastewater and improve the reliability of its operations.

‘We are also looking at how we can make better use of treated effluent for suitable purposes. By expanding access to this alternative water source, we can reduce demand on drinking water supplies and make more sustainable use of our water resources,’ said Alderman Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.
 
More upgrades planned

The City is also planning another capacity upgrade at Wildevoëlvlei WWTW, targeted for 2032, with planning and design work already under way. The planned upgrade will include building primary sedimentation tanks to enhance the removal and reduction of organic loading, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and improve overall treatment performance.
 
The current dewatering upgrade is also making provision for additional belt trains to accommodate future sludge processing requirements.