A R280 million upgrade at the Wildevoëlvlei Wastewater Treatment Works in Kommetjie has reached 70% completion, with the project expected to improve wastewater treatment and operational reliability while creating opportunities to reuse treated effluent.
The City of Cape Town began the upgrade in May 2025 to strengthen the facility’s treatment processes and help it meet the needs of growing communities, including Fish Hoek, Kommetjie, Noordhoek, Ocean View and Masiphumelele.
The plant currently has a maximum treatment capacity of 14.5 million litres per day. Treated effluent flows into Wildevoëlvlei, which ultimately drains into the ocean via Kommetjie Beach.
The City announced the project’s progress earlier today on Tuesday, 27 October, saying the upgraded infrastructure is scheduled to be commissioned by April 2027.
The upgrade includes a new dewatering facility designed to more than double the plant’s existing sludge-processing capacity.
The current facility has a design treatment capacity of 302kg per hour. Once the upgrade is complete, this will increase to 800kg per hour.
The new installation will also include an additional belt train as a standby unit, providing backup capacity and improving operational reliability.
Existing mechanical equipment is also being refurbished and upgraded, as new mixers and aeration systems are intended to enhance the biological treatment process and support more efficient plant operations.
Alongside the main upgrade, the City is building a new treated effluent pump station valued at R35.1 million. Construction began in December 2025.
The pump station is designed to handle 146 litres per second and will allow the City to expand the supply of treated effluent to Kommetjie and neighbouring areas.
Treated effluent can be used for suitable non-drinking purposes, including irrigation. Expanding its use could reduce demand on drinking water supplies and support the sustainable management of Cape Town’s water resources.
The City’s wider water strategy also includes plans to turn treated wastewater into drinking water, as part of efforts to strengthen Cape Town’s long-term water security.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Alderman Zahid Badroodien, said the upgrade would help the facility keep pace with the needs of growing communities.
‘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,’ he highlighted.
Badroodien adds: ‘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.’
The City is also planning another capacity upgrade at Wildevoëlvlei, targeted for 2032. Planning and design work for this phase is already under way.
The proposed improvements will include primary sedimentation tanks to enhance the removal of organic material and reduce Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), improving overall treatment performance.
The current dewatering upgrade is also being designed with additional belt trains in mind to accommodate future sludge-processing requirements.
Together, the projects are intended to strengthen the facility’s ability to treat wastewater as surrounding communities continue to grow.
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