24 PROJECT four new primary settling tanks, a primary sludge pump station, a sludge dewatering building, a service water pump station, a Waste Activated Sludge( WAS) pump station, sundry holding tanks( two primary sludge and two WAS), pipelines, access roads, as well as some minor services( such as water connection and site drainage). Following the completion of the live diversion to the new works, a portion of the old inlet works structure was demolished.
To increase the processing capacity of the plant by 18Ml / d, a new activated sludge reactor – utilising membrane biological reactor technology – was first constructed. Following this, additional structures to the existing works’ conventional active sludge reactors was constructed. Craig emphasised that“ this vital upgrade ensured that the employer was able to continue with the essential treatment of wastewater for the ever-growing population”.
Urgent rehabilitation was needed to meet the ever-rising demands of the region, and the additional 18 million litres-per-day processing capacity provided by the upgrade was the solution.
The upgrade increased treatment capacity from 72Ml / day to 90Ml / day – ultimately aiding in supporting the growing population and economy. The plant’ s effluent quality was also improved significantly thanks to cutting-edge membrane treatment technology that treats water to near-potable levels.
For Greenfields Plumbing, the project lasted 12 months from start to finish. Its work included providing an HDPE waste reticulation, a MLP( multilayer pipe) and copper water reticulation, along with a black mild steel fire reticulation design and installation. Due to the new buildings, no old plumbing or piping stood in the way of the upgrade.
The upgrading process from start to finish The project started as early as 2014, when the City of Cape Town appointed Zutari to design and construct the new WWTW to include state-of-the-art water purification technology. Zutari used virtual reality( VR) to compensate for the highly technical nature of the project and large number of involved stakeholders. Through VR ad 3D-model software, the design phase was streamlined and the client, stakeholders and plant operators were able to give input on the design to optimise it for their needs, as well as learn how the plant would function once built.
Stefanutti Stocks Coastal’ s Cape Town-based civils team first constructed new enlarged inlet works, two new screw-pump stations,
“ These upgrades and improvements ultimately impact the lives – and the dignity – of the families who live in the areas serviced by this plant.”
An HDPE waste reticulation, a MLP and copper water reticulation, along with a black mild steel fire reticulation design and installation was provided.
Challenges faced during the project
• During the length of the project, occasional community protests to access work opportunities were faced by those involved in the project
• Co-ordinating site support proved to be the most difficult part of the works
• During the construction commencement, technical constraints arising from implementing an upgrade for a poorly functioning
www. plumbingafrica. co. za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline January 2026 Volume 31 I Number 11