Work on the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s pipe replacement programme is accelerating with a number of sewer and water pipe replacement projects under way. One of the projects, which kicked off in January 2025, is the much-needed rehabilitation of the sewers in Uitsig.
As part of the Mayor’s Priority Programme (MPP), the City has expanded its Pipe Replacement Programme by setting aside R523 million for infrastructure maintenance in the 2024/2025 financial year. Pipeline rehabilitation forms part of the directorate’s strategy to reduce the number of sewer spills and to provide efficient sanitation services to the residents of Cape Town.
The City aims to replace or rehabilitate about 1,5% of the total sewer network annually.
The latest project in Uitsig started in January 2025 and is scheduled to be completed in June 2025 at an estimated value of R7,1 million. This project will see up to 2,1km of 150mm and 250mm diameter sewers rehabilitated in Kambro Road, Kosmos Road, Laventel Road, Kirkwood Road, Vygie Road, Sonneblom Road, Salie Road, Malva Road, Rose Road and Petunia Crescent. Some of these are mid-block sewers located on residential properties.
The need for replacement was identified after repeated sewer overflows and collapses were experienced in Uitsig over the last few years. This is as a result of ageing infrastructure (50+ year-old fibre cement pipe) and misuse of the sewer system where residents are flushing or getting rid of items such as rags, newspapers, plastics and building material, causing blocked pipes.
The trenchless rehabilitation method used for this project is called cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining where a textile tube coated in resin is inserted into the existing pipe and hardens after insertion into a joint-less and seamless pipe. This method of rehabilitation is one of the most widely-used trenchless methods.
In addition to the CIPP lining, the scope of works also includes: pre- and post‑CCTV investigation of the sewer line, isolation of sewer lines, over-pumping or bypassing of flows to ensure uninterrupted services to residents, extensive cleaning of debris which has been illegally dumped into the sewer system and the construction of additional or point repairs of the sewer if required.
‘A significant section of Uitsig’s sewer pipes are going to be relined to improve functionality from a technical perspective. Our teams will monitor the progress on site very closely as this project was previously put on hold due to extortion threats. However, work has resumed as this upgrade is essential for the benefit of the Uitsig community.
‘Residents will also need to play their part in using the sewer system responsibly to maintain its integrity. Only toilet paper and human waste can flow through the sewer system without causing damage. Anything else like wet wipes, sanitary towels, diapers, fats and oils, hair and condoms, will block the sewer pipes and cause overflows. Although the City is upgrading the sewer pipes, overflows will persist as long as foreign objects are flushed down household toilets or dumped in street manholes.
‘It’s important that we work together to look after investments made in upgrading sewer pipes to be able to derive the long-term benefits of how the system is designed to function,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
