R18m Bellville sewer rehabilitation project gets under way
Advertising
23-09-2026
Read : 8 times
Northern Natal News
Source
A R18 million project to rehabilitate and upgrade a key bulk sewer in Bellville is under way, with the City of Cape Town aiming to strengthen the network and reduce the risk of future failures.
The Belrail sewer runs between 5.5 and six metres underground and passes beneath eight railway lines, five of which are active.
According to the City, sections of the ageing sewer are severely deteriorated, with parts of the existing pipe completely missing.
Work to minimise disruption
The depth and condition of the sewer, together with limited access, make conventional excavation difficult. This is particularly the case beneath the railway corridor, where extensive excavation could interfere with railway operations.
The project is therefore using a combination of semi-trenchless technology, pipe-cracking and slip-lining to limit the amount of excavation required.
The work includes rerouting 460m of sewer pipes at the intersection of Robert Sobukwe Road and Belrail Road, as well as rehabilitating the sewer further downstream in Suid Street.
About 200m of the existing 400mm-diameter pipeline, which carries sewage from the Bellville CBD to the Bellville Wastewater Treatment Works, will also be rehabilitated.
The existing 375mm sewer line will be rehabilitated and upgraded to a new 400mm high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipeline.
The City said it is taking measures to limit the impact of the construction on surrounding residents, including using silent pumps for over-pumping and additional measures to reduce construction noise.
Project expected to finish in December
The City’s mayoral committee member for water and sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, said the project is part of efforts to address ageing infrastructure before failures occur.
“This project is an important investment in the long-term reliability of Cape Town’s wastewater network,” he said.
"Our priority is to maintain and upgrade critical infrastructure before problems occur, while minimising disruption to residents and surrounding areas. This project is another important step in strengthening the City’s wastewater network for the future."
The project is scheduled for completion in December 2026, subject to construction progress and conditions.
Recent News
Here are recent news articles from the Building and Construction Industry.
Have you signed up for your free copy yet?
