With a price tag of R32.5 million the recently constructed treated effluent pump station at Scottsdene Wastewater Treatment Works’ (WWTW) is set to bolster water saving efforts by six million litres a day, according to the City of Cape Town.
In a statement to the media today, the City said the plant supplies treated effluent to several users, mainly for agricultural and irrigation use, which reduces the amount of drinking water consumed by industry and irrigators.
When commissioned, the pump station will be able to supply six million litres of treated effluent per day to the Scottsdene treated effluent network, significantly increasing the availability of treated effluent within the area. Further development work is planned to extend the Scottsdene treated effluent network by 14km.
Alternative water source
Industries, sports facilities, parks, developments and schools in Bellville Industria, Bellville South, Stikland, Glenhaven, Kuils River, Scottsdene, Northpine, Wallacedene, Brackenfell and Protea Heights are encouraged to engage with the City to use treated effluent as an alternative water source. The plant has previously benefited from capacity upgrades in 2010 and 2020 to service a growing population driven by increased housing developments in the area.
“Treated effluent is wastewater that has undergone a rigorous treatment process at wastewater treatment works to remove contaminants, making it safe for discharge into the environment. A portion of this water is further filtered and supplied to customers for non-drinking uses. It is extracted and screened at the inlet of the pump station reservoir and filtered downstream of the pumps.
“The upgraded system also includes a supply capacity for internal reuse at the WWTW as part of the treatment process. The remaining treated effluent is either reused by customers or discharged to the receiving river,” a City spokesperson explains.
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“Providing industry with treated effluent for non-potable purposes such as irrigation and construction is vital in our call to save water. Every litre of treated effluent used is a litre of drinking water saved, helping to preserve our scarce water resources,” says Mayco member for water and sanitation, Zahid Badroodien.
“It also makes financial sense for users, as treated effluent is a more affordable alternative to potable water. By switching to treated effluent where appropriate, businesses and facilities can reduce their water costs while contributing to a more sustainable and resilient water future for the city.”
Built five decades ago
The Scottsdene WWTW was constructed in December 1976 to service Scottsdene, Northpine, Bernadino Heights, Wallacedene and Bloekombos. It has a designed average dry weather flow treatment capacity of 12,5 million litres per day.
After its initial construction in 1976, which saw the installation of its first wastewater treatment module, the WWTW underwent further capacity upgrades over time resulting in the current plant, which has four treatment modules. Additional upgrades up to 2008 saw the construction of mechanical screens, washer compactors and more to meet the growing demand in the area.
During 2010 the treatment capacity of the WWTW was expanded with the construction of treatment Module D and the provision of a mechanical dewatering facility to enable mechanical dewatering and offsite disposal of wastewater sludge produced at the plant.
