Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis officially marked the completion of the R2 billion upgrade of the Zandvliet Waste Water Treatment Works on Wednesday, March 20. The project represents a major investment in sanitation infrastructure for the city, particularly benefiting lower-income households in the eastern regions.
The upgrade expands the plant’s treatment capacity from 72 to 90 million litres per day, supporting Cape Town’s growing population and economy. Additionally, cutting-edge membrane treatment technology ensures the plant releases high-quality effluent that meets all requirements set by the National Department of Water and Sanitation.
“This Zandvliet upgrade directly improves the lives and dignity of families in Delft, Khayelitsha, Mfuleni, and Blue Downs,” said Mayor Hill-Lewis. “By increasing capacity, we position Cape Town for growth while prioritizing sanitation access, a key factor in providing a life of dignity for residents.”
Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, noted that treated wastewater from the plant will eventually supply a new water scheme at the Faure Water Treatment Plant and Reservoir. This will augment the city’s potable water supply through a multi-barrier purification process.
“Our aim is to add around 7% to our Metro’s potable water supply through reuse by 2040,” Councillor Badroodien stated.
