The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate’s plans to upgrade the Potsdam Wastewater Treatment Works from 47MI/d to 100 MI/d by 2026 are progressing well, with critical tenders set to close soon. This upgrade project, at a total estimated value of R2,2 billion, will progressively provide new technology and additional treatment capacity between now and the estimated completion period.
Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTWs) have an important function to ensure that sewage/wastewater coming from homes, businesses and industries, is treated optimally to be released as effluent into the environment via our waterways and for reuse purposes.
The City is currently upgrading the Potsdam WWTW to increase its capacity to accommodate the urban growth in the area. Cutting-edge membrane technology is also being added to ensure high standards of wastewater treatment.
The Phase 1 demolition on the property is already complete, and the project is currently at the end of the detailed design phase. The mechanical and electrical as well as the civil construction procurement process is under way.
Currently, the project is split into two components both of which are out on tender:
1. Mechanical and electrical tender:
The tender for the design, supply, installation and commissioning of mechanical and electrical infrastructure to upgrade and expand Potsdam WWTW closes on Friday, 29 April 2022.
2. Civil tender:
The tender for the civil construction of infrastructure and buildings to upgrade and expand Potsdam WWTW, which also includes demolition works, closes on Friday, 17 June 2022.
‘Over the next 10 years, the Water and Sanitation Directorate is projected to spend a minimum of R8 billion in WWTW upgrades, with several projects well under way, and Potsdam is one of them.
‘The Potsdam WWTW upgrade project is moving ahead, with tenders set to close soon on core components of this upgrade project currently. Tender appeals have in the past been a primary driver of delays on major wastewater infrastructure, and we are determined that the implementation of the next phase starts timeously once the tenders are awarded.
‘Every step towards seeing this upgrade become a reality needs to be recognised because WWTW projects are complex in nature and take years to complete. Investment in our WWTWs is vital. We need to ensure these valuable facilities have enough capacity to manage future urban growth and ensure the highest quality of treated effluent. These upgrades are critical to Cape Town’s journey towards improved inland water quality and a Water Sensitive City,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Earlier this month, the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate came out tops for its management of wastewater at the Green Drop Award ceremony hosted by the National Department of Water and Sanitation.
The City of Cape Town achieved the second highest number Green Drop Certifications and the most Green Drop Contenders in the country. Potsdam WWTW was one of these. It achieved a compliance rating of 89% from the National Department of Water and Sanitation. Please see the release: https://bit.ly/36rA2Sh
Potsdam WWTW falls within the Diep River catchment. This is one of the largest in the City at over 1 500 km2 in size, half of which falls outside of the metro boundaries in the Swartland.
‘The City’s efforts are ongoing to investigate and mitigate pollution sources in the catchment, improve waste management, and combat illegal dumping in communities. Pollution is everyone’s business. Let’s all do what we can to be a part of the solution to improve inland water quality,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
Source: City Of Cape Town