As dam levels across the Western Cape continue dipping, the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is ramping up its proactive infrastructure replacement programme.
In a significant move for the Macassar area, the municipality has recently completed the replacement of 2,34 km of aging water mains, an investment valued at R5,7 million.
The project, which broke ground last October and is slated for final completion this month, marks a major step in safeguarding the local water supply against leaks and costly pipe bursts.
The upgrade specifically targeted aging fibre cement pipes. In several sectors, 50 mm diameter pipes were replaced with 110 mm high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes. These modern alternatives are not only more cost-effective, but also boast a significantly longer lifespan and meet strict South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) specifications.
“Proactively replacing pipe networks makes us better prepared for rapid population growth,” said Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee member for Water and Sanitation. “It also allows us to systematically plan and budget for rehabilitation of expected wear and tear. Another significant benefit is that pipe replacement reduces leaks, helping us conserve water.”
Residents in the affected areas – including Musica, Doh, Fah, Ray and Mes streets – would have noticed the “open-trench” method being used. While more traditional, this method was chosen for several strategic reasons.
These include safety as it provides full visibility of the site, making it easier to identify existing underground utilities and hazards in densely serviced areas.
During the planning phase, it avoids the need for specialised, high-cost trenchless machinery and, most importantly, the method is labour-intensive, which allowed the project to create immediate employment opportunities within the Macassar community.
A total of 10 locals were employed as part of the project team, while a local security company was appointed to ensure site safety and asset protection throughout the construction period.
This initiative is part of a broader city-wide water pipe replacement programme, which has seen R239,5 million allocated for the 2025-’26 financial year.
You must be logged in to post a comment.