The City of Cape Town’s R18.5 billion water and sanitation budget for the next three financial years was approved at the council meeting last Wednesday, 31 May.
Of this, the City plans to invest R4.3 billion in water and sanitation infrastructure over the 2023/24 financial year, starting next month.
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City says the council-approved budget aims to continue building Cape Town’s water future and resilience to ensure that communities are safeguarded against sewer overflows.
‘Over the current financial year, we have already seen various key investments being done. While those achievements are recognised and celebrated, we still need to do more,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
‘This is because doing the basics better remains a priority for the City of Cape Town. The budget of R18,5 billion for the next three years echoes this commitment.’
Additionally, the City’s water and sanitation directorate expressed its commitment to providing access to good-quality water and adequate sanitation in informal settlements where possible.
Take a look at the budget breakdown for 2023/24:
Informal settlements
R38 million is to be spent on new taps and toilets for informal settlements to accompany services already being provided.
New Water Programme (NWP)
R604 million will be invested in major water projects that form part of the NWP that the directorate is currently working towards implementing.
These projects include:
- Cape Flats Aquifer Recharge and related projects
- Atlantis Aquifer
- Table Mountain Group Aquifer and related projects
- Zandvliet re-use plant
City says it is set to produce an extra 300 million litres of new water every day by 2030.
Alternative water sources will be brought online in order to serve Cape Town’s growing population.
Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW)
R1.8 billion is estimated to be spent on extensions and upgrades at WWTW services and facilities over the next financial year.
WWTW extensions will expand the capacity of key facilities:
- Potsdam: Upgrade form 57Ml/d to 100Ml/d (construction stage)
- Zandvliet: Upgrade from 72Ml/d to 90Ml/d (construction stage)
- Athlone: Phase one of refurbishment, upgrade and capacity extension from 105Ml/d to 155Ml/d (construction stage)
- Bellville: Final phase of refurbishment and treatment process upgrade (construction stage)
- Macassar: Upgrade from 34Ml/d to 70Ml/d (design stage)
Other WWTW upgrades include:
- Cape Flats: New Inlet Works and rising main (design stage)
- Wesfleur: Aeration system replacement/refurbishment (tender stage)
- Wildevoelvlei: Refurbishment and upgrade of the mechanical sludge dewatering facility (design stage)
The next financial year will see a drastic increase to R3 billion budgeted for WWTW.
Proactive efforts to prevent sewer overflows
A total of R892.5 million for various projects has been proposed to help bolster proactive efforts to assist with preventing sewer overflows.
- R123 million: Upgrades/refurbishment of sewer pump stations and pump station security
- R246.5 million: Replacement of 100 kilometres of sewer pipes in various areas across Cape Town
- R523 million: Upgrade of bulk sewers in Cape Flats, Philippi, Milnerton and Gordons Bay
Investing in reliable water supply to properties
R92 million has been allocated to replacing 50 kilometres of water pipes supplying several Cape Town suburbs.
Help build resilience during loadshedding
R157.5 million will be spent on generators and UPS installations for sewer and water pump stations as well as bulk water and wastewater treatment plants for the upcoming financial year.
A total of R341 million is budgeted for the next three financial years.
Improving waterways to reduce risk of flooding
R104.4 million is planned to be invested in a number of area-specific water projects including:
- Flood alleviation in Lourens River
- Flood alleviation in Macassar
- Sir Lowry’s Pass River upgrade
- Zandvlei Canal upgrade
- Bayside Canal upgrade
A total of R321 million is planned to be spent on these projects over the next three financial years.
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