On Saturday, 8 February 2025, the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate visited the Cape Town Science Centre to share insights on its Water Strategy and implementation of the New Water Programme with the STEM Clubs Network. Read more below:
The network comprises of primary and high school STEM Clubs across the Western Cape, inspiring young learners to excel in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Teachers from the Metro Central and South districts were in attendance at Saturday’s Level Up Lab.
This is the latest in a series of stakeholder interactions aimed at raising awareness among different community groups, about the objectives of the City’s New Water Programme: a key initiative aimed at diversifying sources of water supply for more sustainability.
‘The STEM Clubs Network is an excellent platform to reach schools, where young minds and future scientists can get in-depth knowledge about water reuse and desalination.
‘By discussing the City’s plans with educators, our objective is to co-create enriching learning sessions targeted at the youth. The feedback received will guide the City’s development of educational materials, which highlight the critical role that alternative water resources will play, in helping Cape Town build resilience against climate change and drought.
‘Not only were we excited about the opportunity to inspire the next generation of innovators who may one day run our water treatment plants; but the direct engagements also allow engineering experts to address concerns about how advanced technology can purify wastewater and seawater to drinking quality standards,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
About the City’s New Water Programme
The NWP is a multi-phase initiative to improve Cape Town’s water security by developing different water sources like surface water, seawater desalination, groundwater and water reuse.
The programme is a response to increasing water demand, climate variability and the need to build resilience against future droughts. It includes the Faure New Water Scheme (a water reuse project), the Paarden Eiland Desalination Plant (a seawater desalination project), clearing of invasive plant species and groundwater extraction.
Two projects are currently in planned stages:
· The Faure New Water Scheme is a water reuse scheme that will produce up to 70 million litres of drinking water per day. The scheme will convert treated wastewater from the Zandvliet Wastewater Treatment Works into drinking water using advanced water purification processes. The project involves advanced technologies and quality control systems to ensure the final product meets the highest drinking water standards. The purified water will then be blended with dam water and treated again at the existing Faure Water Treatment Plant before being distributed through the drinking water supply network. During March 2025, the City will start its public participation process on the feasibility of outsourcing the implementation and operation of the facility.
· The Paarden Eiland Desalination Plant is a new project that capitalises on the latest advances in scientific research and technological innovation. The design of the plant features a comprehensive multi-barrier treatment process to remove pollutants, pathogens and salts, ensuring the safe production of high-quality drinking water. The City started a public participation process on 31 January 2025 to consider outsourcing the implementation and operation of the permanent desalination plant. The deadline for public comment is 3 March. See here.
The City is committed to ongoing public engagement around the NWP and to build awareness and confidence in the safety and benefits of the new water projects.
For more information on the City’s Water Strategy, view Cape Town Water Strategy.pdf.
The Water and Sanitation Communications and Partnerships team, looks forward to joining the next Level Up Labs Programme this Saturday, 15 February 2025, to continue the conversation and further explore the science behind the new water projects.
About the STEM Club Network
The STEM Club Network was initiated by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) in collaboration with the Cape Town Science Centre (CTSC). It promotes and supports science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) clubs through extracurricular programmes in schools across the Western Cape. Currently over 230 clubs operate within all eight educational districts, catering to primary school learners (grades 4-7) and high school learners (grades 8-11). Schools interested in joining can register their STEM clubs through the programme.
