Since the start of the 2024/2025 financial year, the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has made significant progress in upgrading critical infrastructure, replacing 63% of its targeted 50 000 m of water pipes and 64% of its targeted 100 000 m of sewer pipes across the city. Read more below:
To date, 31 626 m of water and 64 136 m of sewer pipes have been replaced city-wide since the start of the financial year in July 2024. This accelerated effort seeks to meet the City’s commitment to improving service delivery by replacing ageing water and sanitation infrastructure. More than R523 million has been allocated from the 2024/2025 financial year budget, to build resilience in the long-term through investment in the reticulation network.
During January 2025 alone, the following pipe replacements were done:
- 2 162 m of water pipes in Goodwood, Sea Point, Sarepta Kuils River, Ottery, Retreat, Kommetjie, Glencairn and Hout Bay.
- 6 269 m of sewer pipes in Constantia, Plumstead, Soneike, Kuils River, Bellville and Uitsig.
‘By maintaining, rehabilitating and upgrading water and sewer pipelines proactively, we are reducing the risk of service disruptions. It also reduces sewer blockages and overflows, providing a healthier environment for residents,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
The City prioritises areas for pipe replacements based on multiple factors:
· Conducting comprehensive condition assessments to identify ageing infrastructure and potential capacity upgrades where required
· Analysing public notifications raised and depot reports highlighting where structural failures have occurred
· Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping, which captures vital data such as pipe sizes, locations, manholes and household connections
With more than 9 000 km of sewer pipeline servicing properties across Cape Town, these infrastructure investments are crucial in securing reliable services for the city’s growing population.
Cape Town has approved a South African record infrastructure budget of R39,5 bn over three years, more than the three Gauteng metros combined. The City has further calculated that 75% of its infrastructure spending directly benefits lower-income households, with the pro-poor portion amounting to R9 bn in the 24/25 Financial Year – more than the entire infrastructure budget of any other city.