The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has completed a major R8,3 million sewer pipeline-renewal project in Century City, strengthening sanitation services for both residents and businesses in the area.
The upgrade forms part of the City’s Mayoral Priority Programme (MPP), which has allocated R589,5 million in the 2025-’26 financial year for maintenance and pipe-replacement projects across Cape Town to ensure the long-term reliability of essential infrastructure.
Critical infrastructure renewed
The Century City project involved the rehabilitation of nearly 2 000 m of sewer pipeline, carried out between July and the end of October 2025. Work focused on key routes including Century Avenue, Century Boulevard, Edison Way and Boundary Road.
The renewal was prioritised after the 25-year-old sewer pipes showed significant signs of deterioration, including collapses along Century Boulevard that required emergency repairs, corrosion between Mercantile and Bridge roads, and failing sewer lines near the sporting courts on Century Avenue, which had resulted in open excavations and the potential for major traffic disruptions.
Initial emergency repairs were conducted using six open-trench excavations to stabilise the most critical sections. This was followed by a more advanced rehabilitation method known as cured-in-place pipe (CIPP), implemented in two phases.
Phase 1 focused on Century Boulevard near Canal Walk Shopping Centre, while phase 2 took place along Century Avenue near the Porsche dealership off Bosmansdam Road.
CIPP technology involves inserting a specially designed liner into the existing pipe, which is then cured to form a durable new inner pipe. This “pipe-within-a-pipe” method restores the sewer to near-new condition while significantly extending its lifespan.
Long-term benefits for the area
Mayco member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, said the upgrade was essential to support the area’s continued growth.
“With the area’s growing population and activity, this sewer renewal was essential to ensure sewage is carried safely and reliably for years to come. We thank residents, businesses and visitors for their patience during this important work,” he said.
The completed project delivers several long-term benefits, including extending the life of the sewer infrastructure for decades, reducing leaks and blockages through a smooth, jointless inner surface, and minimising environmental impact by limiting excavation to small access points.
Additional benefits include reduced soil disturbance, helping to protect gardens, trees and nearby structures, as well as faster completion times that limit disruption to residents, businesses and traffic.
