Significant progress is being made on two major infrastructure projects in the Helderberg: the Trappies Bulk Sewer Rehabilitation and the Gordon’s Bay Pump Station and Rising Main projects.
This was reported during an online meeting hosted by the City of Cape Town last Wednesday (25 June). The upgrade projects aim to extend the lifespan of critical sewer infrastructure and mitigate future collapses.
A presentation displayed during the meeting showed that the Trappies bulk sewer, which is 50 years old, is undergoing a major rehabilitation project with a budget of R146 million allocated for the 2024-’25 and 2025-’26 financial years. The primary objective is to extend the pipeline’s lifespan by over 50 years and restore its structural integrity.
The chosen rehabilitation method is Cured In Place Pipe Lining (CIPP). The City has designated the DN900 segment, a 2 300 m section of the pipeline, as the current priority. This phase of the project is anticipated to be completed by June 2027.
In a related development, the Gordon’s Bay Pump Station and Rising Main project is also well underway. The new pump station and 8 km rising main are designed to discharge flow into the Sir Lowry’s Pass Outfall Sewer, which will relieve the pressure on the Trappies sewer.
Construction on the project began in March last year and is estimated to be commissioned by February next year.
Excavation of the pump station was completed on Thursday 12 June, while construction is 66% complete. So far, 3 597 m of the 7 503 m rising main has been installed.
Trappies has started
On-site work for the Trappies rehabilitation is progressing, with the first works project having commenced at the beginning of April. The contractor has established a site camp at the netball courts on the corner of Winston Street and Main Road.
As part of the project, the existing cloakroom and clubhouse at the netball courts have been fully revamped, with restored plumbing and electrical systems, as well as the installations of a new carport, sliding gate and floodlights.
To minimise disruption to residents, notices have been issued to affected households and traffic accommodation has been provided for works in the centre of De Villiers Street. Additionally, over-pumping pipes will be partially buried on Joubert Street to ensure unhindered property access.
The project faces certain limiting factors, including the capacity of contractors and the staggered implementation of works to manage over-pumping requirements.
Winter rains also pose a challenge, as stormwater infiltration can lead to surcharging of the pipeline.
During these periods CIPP lining activities may be temporarily suspended if the contractor is unable to manage the excess flow. The liner for the project is manufactured in Europe, with an order, manufacture and delivery time of about three months.
The City’s operations department has committed two units to proactively clean the Trappies line from Joubert Street to the Lourens River, a cleaning operation that started at the beginning of June.
To date, 1 553 m of the sewer line has been cleaned.
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