The first phase of the total R3,2 billion upgrade of the Athlone Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW), which has been treating wastewater for 100 years, is progressing well. The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste Alderman Xanthea Limberg, portfolio committee chairperson Alderman Clive Justus and ward councillor Rashid Adams, recently visited the site to check on the work. The upgrade is scheduled to be completed in 2029 if all goes as planned.

Fast facts about wastewater treatment works (WWTW):

26 Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTWs) service Cape Town.

WWTWs ensure that sewage/wastewater coming from homes, businesses and industries, entering the works (also referred to as influent) is treated optimally to be released (also referred to as effluent) into the environment via our waterways.

The City is projecting a minimum R8 billion investment for major WWTWs upgrades over the next 10 years.

The upgrade of the Athlone Wastewater Treatment Works will increase its capacity from treating 105 million litres of wastewater each day to 150 million litres, as well as refurbish the existing treatment module. Provision will also be made for possible further capacity extensions up to a maximum capacity of 175 million litres per day when required in future.

Overall, the total upgrade is estimated to cost about R3,2 billion. This is a critical investment into key infrastructure towards ensuring improved environmental health of the receiving water body.

The upgrade project is divided into two phases, each consisting of two construction contracts (one Civil and one Mechanical/Electrical each). The current status is as follows:

• Currently Phase 1 works include process upgrades and refurbishment to the existing treatment module, a new blower house and central process controller hub, and an electrical intake substation including backup generation in case of load-shedding, all of which is critical to operating this WWTW. The Phase 1 civil works are under construction and the mechanical Contract is in the procurement phase.

The process upgrades to the existing treatment module will include refurbishing electrical and mechanical equipment associated with the biological reactors to ensure that Athlone WWTW can continue to comply with its licence requirements.

The Phase 1 civil works on site is currently on programme. All the demolition of redundant infrastructure to make space for new construction is complete. The construction of the blower house and control centre is at an advanced stage and is projected to be completed during the first quarter of next year. The civil works alone costs about R125 million with the associated mechanical / electrical works costing R250 million and should be completed by 2026.

• Phase 2 of the upgrade project is yet to commence, but will provide an additional 45 Ml/d treatment module as well a new Inlet Works with improved screening and grit removal, and tertiary treatment comprising micro screening, ultrafiltration and Ultraviolet light disinfection for the entire works.

WWTW upgrades are technically complex projects, and due to their magnitude inherently have long implementation timelines. Inflow cannot be stopped or diverted and the existing infrastructure must continue to operate and produce a compliant treated effluent during the upgrade process. We want to thank our staff for their dedication and look forward to seeing the progress on site over the coming years.

‘This upgrade is not only about increasing the capacity of wastewater that is treated optimally, but also significant investment is being given to ensure that the treatment is enhanced and is state of the art.

‘This upgrade forms part of a greater plan to invest at least R8 billion over the next 10 years into WWTWs to ensure that it can accommodate future growth and development.

‘Wastewater treatment works are a valuable barrier between modern human society and the environment, and ensuring these are sufficiently capacitated is a critical arm of our strategy to transform into a Water Sensitive City. However, unless residents use sewers correctly and legally, there will continue to be significant pollution of the environment.

‘Furthermore, disposal of rags and general litter causes blockages and overflows, and can damage the inlet works at the plants. Protecting the environment needs to be a team effort, and we call on community leaders and the media to help increase awareness around this,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste, Alderman Xanthea Limberg.

Source: City Of Cape Town