To help to deliver 300-million additional litres of drinking water to residents through its New Water Programme, the City of Cape Town (CoCT) is progressing several water projects, including namely the Philippi Wellfield project and the R1.3-billion Macassar Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) project.

The Philippi Wellfield – where civil and construction work, worth about R181-million, began in July 2024 – is expected to be completed in September 2026, with water supply planned for 2028.

Upon completion, the Philippi Wellfield will deliver 10-million litres of clean drinking water into the CoCT’s supply system every day – in alignment with the highest global drinking water standards. The facility will also be equipped with ultra-filtration, reverse osmosis and UV treatment technologies to ensure that these standards are met.

“This project is part of the city’s plan to deliver 300-million litres a day of drinking water from new sources by the end of this decade. This will ensure our city’s future water security, so that our city will never have to face the kind of water crisis we experienced in 2017. It’s encouraging to see the significant progress being made here in Philippi. This is a very impressive plant with the best global technology in water filtration,” said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

The Philippi Wellfield is one of five wellfields under development by the CoCT, which are expected to be fully commissioned between 2030 and the end of 2031.

“Beyond drinking water, the project will also strengthen the aquifer by enhancing water quality, stabilising groundwater levels, and reducing the risk of salinity linked to climate change and sea-level rise. The Philippi Wellfield represents the future of water in Cape Town and our ability to find alternative sources to provide clean, reliable supply, while protecting the environment,’ said CoCT Water and Sanitation MMC Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

Macassar WWTW Upgrade

The R1.3-billion Macassar WWTW upgrade project will address current capacity constraints, reduce energy consumption, optimise operation and maintenance, and improve the inland water quality of the Eerste river. The Macassar WWTW was originally constructed in 1977, which included the inlet works, carousel biological reactor and two secondary settling tanks, as well as the office and laboratory. The treatment capacity was expanded in 1988, which included the addition of the second carousel biological reactor and two additional secondary settling tanks. A further upgrade took place in 2002, which saw two additional secondary settling tanks and the dewatering facilities being added to the works.

The upgrade project will feature modern, energy-efficient infrastructure and innovations designed to meet the community’s growing needs and will double the plant’s current treatment capacity from 34-million litres a day to 80-million litres a day, to cater for population growth over the next 20 years.

The upgrade project will be separated into two phases, namely, the civil and mechanical phases. These phases will provide a platform for various developments to take place, including general civil engineering services, combined heat and power installation, and new inlet works providing enhanced screening and degritting.

Other key developments include activities related to flow balancing, buildings associated with pump stations and dewatering, and anaerobic digesters, among other subprojects.

The CoCT invited community members to attend an Open Day at the Macassar New Civic Centre on November 27, 2025, where they could obtain details regarding the upgrade project.

Having encouraged residents of Macassar and surrounding areas to attend the Open Day to learn more about the city’s planned R1.3-billion upgrade, Badroodien noted that the CoCT created an event that allowed residents to find out more about potential job opportunities.