Progress continues on the ambitious R5.2 billion upgrade of the Potsdam Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) in Milnerton, as mayoral committee member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, highlighted during a recent site inspection, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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Joined by the Section 79 Water and Sanitation Portfolio Committee and the Section 80 Mayoral Advisory Committee for Inland Water Quality, Badroodien expressed optimism over the project, which is set to be a key development in the City’s environmental and water resilience plans.
The project, which began in April 2023, is one of Cape Town’s largest infrastructure endeavours.
Now, 20 months into construction, the upgrade is on course to be completed by 2027. Once finished, the facility will be able to treat 100 million litres of wastewater daily, more than doubling its current capacity of 47 million litres.
Councillor Badroodien praised the progress, stating that the extensive upgrades will significantly improve the quality of treated effluent while easing pressure on water resources across the region.
‘This investment underscores the City’s commitment to water resilience, environmental restoration, and improved public infrastructure. Each step brings us closer to restoring the health of the Diep River and Milnerton Lagoon,’ said Badroodien.
The multi-year upgrade includes two main contracts: one for civil infrastructure and another for mechanical and electrical installations.
Key advancements are already in place, such as the civil construction of the ultrafiltration plant, which will eventually feature cutting-edge treatment processes including micro-screening, ultrafiltration membranes, and ultraviolet disinfection technology.
This plant, along with a newly added effluent reuse pump station, represents an effort to create a more sustainable approach to water management.
The project’s design prioritises resilience and efficiency. The membrane bioreactor facility and the inlet works — the largest components in the upgrade — are well underway and will be essential in meeting the expanded capacity. Additionally, a new process control facility is being constructed to serve as the plant’s main operational hub.
Once finished, this facility will include a control room equipped with real-time monitoring capabilities, ensuring that operations run seamlessly.
The dewatering plant, another critical component, is complete on the civil side and will soon receive its mechanical and electrical equipment. This facility will help maintain ideal sludge conditions, boosting the plant’s ability to consistently produce high-quality treated effluent.
By mid-2025, installations for the dewatering and ultrafiltration processes are expected to be operational, setting the stage for early improvements in water quality before the full-scale commissioning in 2027.
The Potsdam WWTW upgrade stands as a testament to the City’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure, water resilience, and environmental stewardship. In the coming years, this facility will not only serve the city’s expanding population but will also support crucial environmental goals, fostering a healthier, more sustainable water ecosystem for generations to come.
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Picture: City of Cape Town
