The City of Cape Town (CoCT) says its total proposed budget for water and sanitation for the upcoming 2024/25 financial year is R18.5-billion.

Of this, R5.3-billion will be spent on capital projects, while R13.2-billion is allocated to operations.

“Residents are assured that these remain key priorities for the city: building a water secure future, delivering clean, reliable drinking water and dignified sanitation services to residents in Cape Town, as well as reducing sewer overflows and improving treating wastewater so that we safeguard our environment and improve inland water quality,” says Water and Sanitation MMC Zahid Badroodien.

According to the budget, the city aims to spend R38.25-million on new taps and toilets for informal settlements.

Within the new water programme (NWP), the city notes that surface water currently makes up about 98% of its drinking water.

By 2040, however, the expectation is that groundwater, desalination and water reuse will account for 25% of supply.

This will be in addition to the removal of alien invasive plant species in the city’s catchment areas.

“We are bringing online alternative water sources that will serve our growing population,” says Badroodien.“[We] will work towards implementing new water projects that include desalination, aquifer abstraction and our Faure new water programme.”

Badroodien notes that the city will invest R460.16-million this year in major infrastructure projects, the bulk being aquifer projects which form part of the NWP, including the Cape Flats Aquifer Recharge and related projects; the Atlantis Aquifer project, and the Table Mountain Group Aquifer and related projects.

In terms of wastewater treatment works, the city expects to spend R2.58-billion on extensions and upgrades over the next financial year.

This is planned to increase to R2.96-billion in the 2025/26 financial year.

CoCT says the wastewater treatment works programme will expand the capacity of a number of key facilities.

The Potsdam works will upgrade from 47 Ml/d to 100 Ml/d (this is currently in the construction stage).

The Athlone works is in Phase 1 of a refurbishment and treatment process upgrade.

The Bellville works is in the final phase of a refurbishment and treatment process upgrade.

The Macassar works is in the design phase of an upgrade from 34 Ml/d to 80 Ml/d.

Other wastewater works projects include Wesfleur, which is at the tender award stage for an aeration system replacement/refurbishment programme.

At Wildevoëlvlei, the tender is currently being advertised for the refurbishment and upgrade of the mechanical sludge dewatering facility.

Cape Town’s 2024/25 water and sanitation budget also allocates R1.07-billion for various projects to prevent sewer overflows.

This includes R154.37-million for the upgrade/refurbishment of sewer pump stations; R315.11-million for the replacement of 100 km of sewer pipes; and R597.51-million to tackle sewer spills by upgrading bulk sewers in Cape Flats, Philippi, Milnerton and Gordons Bay.

The budget also allocates R83.36-million for the replacement of 50 km of water pipes to residential and business properties.

The aim is to also spend R127.7-million on generators and uninterrupted power supply installations for sewer and water pump stations, as well as wastewater treatment plants.