The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate recently continued its engagement with residents about infrastructure investments in the Strand and Helderberg area. During an online public meeting, detailed progress updates were provided on capital projects, maintenance priorities as well as operational responses were openly discussed.
The public meeting, held on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, formed part of the City’s ongoing commitment to transparency and proactive communication around bulk sewer upgrades, wastewater treatment capacity, and flood alleviation projects.
‘We remain committed to open dialogue with our residents. These engagements are valuable in ensuring that communities are informed, have their views heard, and are able to track progress on the significant investments being made in their areas.
‘Across Strand and the broader Helderberg, several multi-million rand sewer, wastewater treatment and flood alleviation infrastructure projects are under way to strengthen resilience, improve service reliability and safeguard our natural environment for future generations,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Trappies Bulk Sewer Rehabilitation (estimated at R190 million)
The aim of this project is to extend the lifespan of the 50-year-old pipeline by another 50+ years and restore its structural integrity to prevent future collapses.
Works Project 1, covering the section between Main Road and Church Street along De Villiers Street, has been completed. A total of 360m of the 900mm diameter sewer was successfully rehabilitated.
Works Project 2, which covers the remaining section of De Villiers Street up to Joubert Street, is currently under way and due for completion in May 2026.
To date:
- 166m has been lined, representing 50% completion of the lining scope
- Lining along De Villiers Street is now complete
- The contractor is preparing to complete the remaining 50% of lining by the end of April 2026
Works Project 3 started in February 2026 and will address the Lourens River crossing. Once this critical component is completed, the contractor will return to complete works along Joubert Street.
Currently, 530m of the total 2 300m of bulk sewer has been rehabilitated. Project completion is scheduled for November 2027.
Operational response to sewer collapses
Feedback was provided on recent sewer collapses involving 300mm diameter sewer mains in Joubert Street and surrounding areas. Repairs have been completed at:
- 22 Joubert Street
- 32 Joubert Street (two collapses)
- 78 Joubert Street
- Corner of Munnik and Joubert Streets
Proactive cleaning, root removal, sand trap maintenance and jetting form part of the City’s summer readiness programme to reduce blockages and overflows.
Residents were also reminded that foreign objects such as rags and stones significantly contribute to sewer blockages.
Capital sewer rehabilitation in Strand (R23,6 million)
In addition to the Trappies project, several capital rehabilitation projects have been awarded in Strand.
Works Project 1:
- 1 251m of 150mm pipe and 1 768m of 300mm pipe
- Total: 3 019m
- Project value: R6,4 million
Works Project 2:
- 3 328m of 150mm pipe to be replaced
- Project value: R5,9 million
Works Project 3:
- 3 127m of 150mm pipe to be replaced
- Project value: R5,6 million
Works Project 4:
- 1 833m of 150mm pipe
- 765m of 200mm pipe
- 552m of 300mm pipe
- Total: 3 150m
- Project value: R5,7 million
These upgrades will strengthen the local sewer network and improve service reliability across affected streets including Joubert, Enslin, Brand, Munnik, Herschell, Grey, Union, Brand, Marais, Fagan, Lochner, Woltemade, Olivier, Steyn, Pretorius, Cradock, Donkin, Morkel, Townsend, De Villiers, Gladstone, Wade Street, De Ruyter Drive and Van Der Stel Road, Wilberforce, Dundas and Main Road.
Planned sewer rehabilitation in Helderberg (R14,9 million)
Two projects planned in the broader Helderberg region, are subject to contractor acceptance and dependent on the availability of sufficient capacity to do the works:
Geelsloot Project (Watersmeet, Stella, Aberdeen, Nassau, Dummer, Preller, Irene, Pinecroft Streets and Jakaranda Road)
- 3 323,4m of sewer pipe replacement across multiple pipe sizes
- Project value: R7,59 million
Heldervue Project (Steyn, Pretorius, Cradock, Donkin, Morkel, Townsend, De Villiers, Gladstone and Wade Streets as well as Dundas Road and Main Road)
- 3 371m of 150mm sewer replacement
- Project value: R7,39 million
Gordon’s Bay Pump Station and Rising Main (R277,3 million)
Upgrading the pump station and rising main is aimed at relieving pressure from the Trappies Sewer, by diverting flows into the Sir Lowry’s Pass Outfall Sewer.
Construction started in March 2024 and is currently 80% complete, with commissioning anticipated in June 2026.
Project milestones include:
- 6 476m of the 7 503m rising main installed
- All seven micro-tunnelling crossings completed
- Pump station structural works 73% complete
- Discharge chamber 78% complete
- Air valve construction 56% complete
Road reinstatement is progressing in Drostdy Road, Bosduif/Sercor Road and surrounding areas, with final reinstatement works scheduled through to May 2026.
Major upgrade of Macassar Wastewater Treatment Works (R4,7 billion)
Completion of upgrades at the Macassar Wastewater Treatment Works is planned for 2031.
The upgrade will increase treatment capacity from 34 million litres per day (Ml/d) to 80 Ml/d to accommodate future growth over the next 20 years, improve effluent quality compliance, promote effluent reuse opportunities, and enhance energy efficiency and sustainability. The project scope includes new inlet works, biological nutrient removal reactors, secondary settling tanks, UV and chlorine disinfection, sludge digestion facilities, combined heat and power installation, and refurbishment of maturation ponds.
The Civil construction works started in October 2025, with the Mechanical/Electrical installations scheduled for early 2027. The upgrade will improve effluent quality discharged into the Eerste River and support long-term environmental compliance and water reuse opportunities.
Lourens River Flood Alleviation (R44,5 million)
Phase 1J of this project is 91% complete, with final completion anticipated on 1 August 2026. Work restarted on 27 January 2026 following previous delays.
Key successes include:
- Completing major bridge openings to increase hydraulic capacity
- Constructing gabion-reinforced flood levees
- Erosion protection along vulnerable riverbanks
- Extensive flood plain enhancements and replanting of Victoria Park
- Commissioning of De Ruyter Pump Station
The project aims to contain the 1-in-100-year floodplain and reduce flood risk in Strand North.
Sir Lowry’s Pass River Upgrade (R336,2 million)
Currently 70% complete, construction work began in January 2023, with final completion anticipated in June 2027.
Progress to date includes:
- Diversion Channel 62% complete
- Eastern Channel 59% complete
- Western Channel 24% complete
- Drop Structure C 98% complete
- Transition Structure 92% complete
This project will not only contain the 1-in-100-year floodline and enhance ecological resilience, it will also unlock land for future development opportunities.
Ongoing engagement
The City thanks residents for their continued participation and constructive input during these public meetings. Residents are encouraged to report sewer blockages, missing drain covers, vandalism or leaks via:
- WhatsApp: 060 018 1505
- Online www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests
- SMS 31373 (maximum 160 characters. Standard rates apply)
- Call 0860 103 089
- Email water@capetown.gov.za
- Visit City walk-in centre (Head to the City’s website to find the one closest to you)
