The City’s Executive Mayor Alderman Dan Plato and Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste Alderman Xanthea Limberg, alongside project manager Brian Thomson, who is retiring after 42 years of service, launched the new R82 million Retreat sewage pump station on Tuesday, 17 August. This is part of the City’s Water and Waste Directorate’s plan to invest R426 million into the upgrading of sewage pump stations and related sewer infrastructure over the next 10 years.

The City’s Water and Sanitation Department has officially launched its new Retreat pump station, which boasts state-of-the-art design and equipment, including a screening mechanism to stop dumped objects and materials from blocking the system and creating sewer overflows/spills. The plant has been operating since June, and during this time there has been a significant reduction in sewer blockages and overflows in the area.

In a single month, six cubic meters of rags were pulled from the wastewater entering the pump station. In a two month period, 80 tons of sand were removed.

The four-year journey, from planning to completion, was at times beset by vandalism and violence, with two excavators destroyed beyond repair. Extra measures have been put in place to secure the facility to the highest degree possible, as pump stations have been increasingly targeted with theft and vandalism in recent months.

This pump station services approximately 16 000 households, in areas such as Sea Winds, Lavender Hill, Coniston Park, Elfindale, part of Retreat, Zerilda Park and Sand River.

Pump stations have a vital role in conveying sewage from households to wastewater treatment works plants for processing.

The new pump station is designed to manage an increased capacity of 750 litres of sewage flow per second. Previously the pump station was designed for 620 litres of sewage flow per second.

The old Retreat pump station has been demolished and the new upgraded pump station is now fully operational.

The site that accommodated the old pump station is now home to two courts for netball and basketball gifted by the City, in consultation with the ward councillor, for the neighboring school and community.

The new pump station features:

• A reinforced concrete pump station with a grit chamber, an automated screening facility to remove inappropriate objects, such as rags, that should not be disposed of in the system, and wet well/dry well configuration up to 9,4m below ground level.

• Rehabilitated 460 metres of pipeline, which has a one meter diameter, using trenchless, Cured-in Place Pipelines (CIPP) technology method, so that excavation was not needed because of the limited space in the existing road reserve to lay a new pipeline.

• Rerouting of internal incoming sewer mains into the newly completed pump station

• Rerouting and lining 390 metres of existing concrete sewer pipeline, which are just over a one meter diameter, with newly manufactured High Density polyethylene plastic (HDPP) lined concrete pipe to protect the concrete from Hydrogen Sulphide corrosion to extend the pipe’s life span.

• New mechanical and electrical equipment including three immersible pumps, two mechanical raking screens, a Motor Control Centre panel, which comprises of all the controls and electronics that runs the station, and a standby generator.

• An Odour Control Unit and fresh air supply.

• Security measures such as high security grade electrified fence, pepper gas installation and 24-hour security personnel, to help prevent the site from being targeted for theft/vandalism.

• New parking area, site entrance and perimeter fence.

‘We are very excited to be launching the new Retreat pump station, which will serve approximately 16 000 households. We are also confident that this upgrade will play a contributing role in improving the inland water quality of waterways in this Sand River catchment area, including Zandvlei. The previous pump station was not able to cope with the increased flow, and the ageing infrastructure resulted in numerous environmental incidents as well as extremely high maintenance costs.

‘This investment underscores the City’s commitment that the health of our communities and waterways remains a priority for the City. For this reason, we will continue to invest in vital sewer-related infrastructure. Over the next decade, the City’s Water and Waste Directorate plans to invest R426 million into the upgrading of sewage pump stations and related sewer infrastructure. While these investments are vital, it is important for all of us to remember that we collectively need to work together to help address and reduce sewer overflows and blockages, and looking after the infrastructure by thinking twice about what you are flushing down your toilets, rinsing down your sinks and disposing of in the sewer network via a manhole for example,’ said Mayor Plato.

Dedication and partnerships have been key to seeing this project become a reality.

‘This project has been four years in the making and so today we want to thank all the staff for their dedication for seeing this vital project through from planning on paper to a fully operational facility serving our communities. The road has not been easy as this facility was targeted by vandalism and machinery set alight but staff did not lose hope, and soldiered on to get the job done with service delivery to our communities as a key priority. We want to also commend project manager Brian Thomson for his sterling contribution to the people of Retreat and surrounds, as he leaves a great legacy behind when he retires next month.

‘We also want to thank our stakeholders, including our residents, ward councillors and subcouncil for their support and understanding during this time.

‘Residents are reminded they should only be flushing human waste, toilet paper and greywater. Any other items such as wet wipes, rubble, rags, fats from cooking, feminine hygiene products, will block the sewer pipeline and damage infrastructure, which results in overflows and sewer spills at affected pump stations. Let’s work together to address and reduce sewer overflows so our communities can enjoy healthy environments,’ said Alderman Limberg.

Source: City Of Cape Town