Cape Town's R430m investment to transform Helderberg sewer system

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16-01-2026
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The City of Cape Town is set to invest approximately R430 million to enhance key infrastructure within the Helderberg sewer system.

This significant investment will focus on crucial projects, including the rehabilitation of the Trappies Bulk Sewer, upgrades to the Gordon’s Bay pump station and rising main, as well as the replacement of sewer pipes and maintenance of coastal pump stations. These initiatives are essential for improving sewage conveyance in the area and addressing overflow issues.

While construction is ongoing, residents are reassured that the coastal water quality, particularly at Strand Beach, remains safe for swimming. 

Trappies Bulk Sewer Rehabilitation Update:

The R146 million Trappies upgrade is a top priority for the City, with R69.1 million allocated for the current financial year (2025/26). Recent works on De Villiers Street have been substantially completed, with minor reinstatement tasks expected to conclude by the end of January 2026. Future phases of the project will commence this year, including efforts to resolve issues near the Lourens River.

The rehabilitation process employs cured-in-pipe lining, which creates a sealed lining within existing pipes, minimising the need for extensive excavation, the city detailed.

Gordon’s Bay pump station and rising main status:

Another vital project is the R279 million Gordon’s Bay Pump Station and Rising Main, aimed at bolstering regional sewer capacity. The City plans to allocate R117 million to this project in the 2025/26 financial year. Construction began in March 2024 and is currently 68% complete, with the pump station construction at approximately 78% completion.

Sewer pipe replacements:

The City is also on track to rehabilitate 2,000 metres of sewer pipes in Louis Trichardt and surrounding streets in Somerset West, with a total investment of R3.9 million. So far, R1.2 million has been spent in the current financial year.

In addition to the City's proactive investment into upgrading the sewer network in Helderberg, City teams and contractors also repair sections of the Trappies sewer line when needed, like this one in Van Der Merwe Street that was completed in June 2025.

Coastal sewer pump stations maintenance:

 

To ensure optimal operations at the Gordon’s Bay Road, Sarel Cilliers, and Da Gama coastal sewer pump stations, the City will invest over R1 million in repairs and maintenance. This includes the procurement of new spare pumps for Sarel Cilliers and Da Gama.

To mitigate the risk of further overflows, the City said it has implemented several measures, including:

• Adjusting pump station operating levels to relieve upstream pressure.
• Increasing screening maintenance and de-ragging.
• Intensifying monitoring of stormwater outfalls, including smoke testing to identify cross-connections.
• Ensuring standby emergency teams and contractors are available 24/7 throughout the festive season.

Strand Beach water quality assurance

The City said it has intensified monitoring along the Strand coastline, conducting daily tests from Monday to Friday for the past 18 months. This rigorous testing has shown consistently good coastal water quality it stated.

While isolated sewer spills may occur, they said it do not necessarily indicate poor water quality along the entire coastline. The City added recent sampling has shown a 96% compliance rate, with only isolated incidents affecting water quality.

‘Thank you to our residents for their patience while critical upgrades are being done to our sewer network in Strand." said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayco Member for Water and Sanitation.

"The City of Cape Town acknowledges residents’ frustration following the ongoing sewer overflows affecting parts of Strand, including areas near the beach. We understand the concern this causes and wish to give a clear update on the causes, current responses and ongoing works. 

"In order to prioritise transparency of these multi-million rand investments, the City hosts quarterly feedback sessions with the community. The last public meeting took place in December 2025 to keep the community updated as transparency and communication with our residents are key.

"Overflows experienced last year are the result of multiple, separate faults across the local sewer network, including blockages, pipe collapses, pump station failures, a sinkhole and legacy construction defects. While some incidents increase pressure on the network being upgraded, they are not all linked to the Trappies Bulk Sewer rehabilitation."

Sewage pollution response protocol:

In the event of sewer overflows, the City said it follows a formal Coastal Sewage Pollution Response Protocol, which includes:

• Coordinated responses by Environmental Health, Coastal Management, and Water and Sanitation departments.
• On-site attendance to stop and contain the overflow.
• Environmental sampling and laboratory testing to inform public health decisions.
• Placement of health warning signage and, if necessary, temporary beach closures.

What residents can expect:

Residents can look forward to the removal of temporary over-pumping equipment along De Villiers Street and the reinstatement of roads where safe.

The City said it will continue high-frequency monitoring of pump stations and stormwater outlets, ensuring rapid response capacity for any incidents that may arise.