R113 MILLION INVESTMENT into sewer pump stations

Last financial year, the City of Cape Town spent R43 million to upgrade and repair 33 vandalised sewer pump stations across its jurisdiction. This financial year, the City plans to spend over R70 million on upgrades at more than 30 pump stations.

sanitation infrastructure resources are safeguarded. I visited the Boystown pump station, which services part of Nyanga. It was vandalised in July 2022, where some electrical equipment including the ultrasonic sensors, lights and switches were stolen. The directorate has invested almost R1.6 million at this pump station to ensure it is fully operational again and can provide its valuable service to residents. Security upgrades here include installing a more secured fence, a hardened surface and a steel door at this site,” says Siseko Mbandezi, MMC: Water and Sanitation, City of Cape Town. In addition to the completed sites, the City is also busy working on 19 other sewer pump station sites. Every financial year, the City identifies the most critical pump stations in need of upgrades and repairs so work will be done in a phased approach to address these.

Engaged citizens

Sewer pump stations are an important part of the network. The majority of the system works on gravity but in cases where the sewage must flow uphill, pump stations maintain the flow to wastewater treatment plants.

A pump station security upgrade programme will see the addition of reinforced steel doors, concrete walls, CCTV cameras, guardhouses and security personnel.

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has already spent R14.6 million since July 2022 on repairing and upgrading seven sewer pump stations in Fisantekraal, Mamre North, Mamre South, Crossroads and Boystown in Crossroads, as well as Grey Road in Table View and Summer Greens in Milnerton.

Safeguarding critical infrastructure

“It was good to see the work that is being done to fix vandalised pump stations. These efforts aim to help ensure that these critical water and

While upgrades and repairs are taking place, residents are reminded they can help the City by reporting any information of theft or vandalism incidents. When pump stations are vandalised, they cannot operate and deliver the services to communities as they should. Pump station vandalism contributes to sewer overflows and affects healthy living environments for residents. Both citizens and government must work together to safeguard this critical infrastructure.