The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has invited comment on a proposal to appoint external service providers for the operation and maintenance of four wastewater-related facilities.

This includes three existing wastewater treatment works (WWTWs), namely Borcherds Quarry faecal sludge management, the Fisantekraal WWTW and the Zandvliet WWTW, as well as the new Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) facility at the Cape Flats WWTW.

The construction of a new MAR facility at the Cape Flats WWTW is under way, with civil works completed and the mechanical and electrical installation phase having started.

“The City of Cape Town remains the designated wastewater services provider and retains ownership of its municipal wastewater infrastructure, regardless of any collaboration with external service providers,” said City of Cape Town Water and Sanitation MMC Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

“However, the unique technical nature of the new MAR facility and the drive to introduce more advanced and specialised technologies, make it potentially more effective and efficient to contract experienced external operators for this function.”

The move aims to support the implementation of innovative technologies that can enhance service delivery and forms part of the city’s broader strategy to explore alternative service delivery models that enhance capacity and service quality.

The city’s Water and Sanitation Directorate currently owns and manages 26 WWTWs across Cape Town.

The city, which already partners with external service providers in other city service delivery areas, is currently undertaking a feasibility study on the proposed external service delivery mechanisms for the four facilities.

The deadline for public comment is June 25.

“Public input is vital and will inform the completion of the feasibility study. Once finalised, the report will be made available again for public comment before being submitted to council for consideration,” Badroodien concluded.