Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Mayoral Committee member for Water and Sanitation Zahid Badroodien broke ground on the R4,7 billion upgrade of the Macassar Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) early last month, the final mega-project of the current administration’s term.
The upgrade will more than double the facility’s processing capacity, from 34 million litres per day to 80 million litres per day, equipping the Helderberg to accommodate rapid growth over the next 20 years.
Beyond scale, the project prioritises sustainability and technology. The upgraded facility will generate its own power from biogas, repurpose treated effluent for irrigation and employ advanced UV disinfection and biological nutrient removal to protect the Eerste River.
Modernised facilities will also deliver more dignified service to surrounding residents in Macassar. Civil works commenced in October 2025, with mechanical and electrical installations scheduled for mid-2027. A Community Open Day was held in late last year to ensure transparency and local inclusion.
“This major upgrade will provide thousands of jobs for the local Macassar community, greatly improve the environmental health of the Eerste River and support long-term economic growth,” said Hill-Lewis.
Also present at the sod-turning event were Ward 109 councillor Peter Helfrich and executive director for Water and Sanitation Leonardo Manus.
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