CoCT Commits R80 Million to Rehabilitate Strand Trappies Sewer and Gordon’s Bay Main

The City of Cape Town (CoCT) is set to invest a substantial sum of just under R80 million to rectify critical structural failures in the Strand Trappies Sewer and the Gordon’s Bay Rising Main. The plan was disclosed at a public gathering at the Strand Civic Centre in the previous week.

The Strand Trappies Sewer has been hit by severe structural malfunctions, including regular collapses that outstrip the pace of repair work. The unavoidable effects have had detrimental implications on the health of the Lourens River and a corresponding section of the coastline. Constructive action is planned to divert peak flows from the Gordon’s Bay basin via the deployment of a new pipeline, with construction work planned for initiation in April 2024.

The CoCT has already allocated a budget of R22 million to rehabilitate a 3.1km portion of the Strand Trappies Sewer between Nazli Street and Hammond Street. The City has budgeted R57 million for the fiscal year 2023/24 to hasten the Cured in Place Pipe Lining (CIPP) procurement tender process.

The City plans to commence this critical remedial work at the earliest opportunity in the new calendar year. To alleviate the pressure on the Trappies Sewer and Gordon’s Bay Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) further, wastewater flows will be rechannelled to the Macassar WWTW. This step has been verified by a feasibility study that supports the construction of a 630 litres per second regional sewer pump station and a 7.8km, 700 mm diameter rising main. An estimated budget of R240 million has been allocated for these construction activities.

The City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, emphasized the role of community members in alleviating these sewer challenges. Badroodien mentioned that public behavior contributes significantly to the problem, with illegal disposals of rags, electronics, and building rubble into the sewer system.