703 metres of Bishop Lavis bulk sewer to be rehabilitated

703 metres of Bishop Lavis bulk sewer to be rehabilitated

07 September 2026

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is rehabilitating a 600 mm diameter bulk sewer that conveys wastewater from Belhar to the Borchard’s Quarry Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW). The work will help prevent sewer collapses and reduce the risk of overflows in Bishop Lavis and surrounding areas.

The City is investing in sewer infrastructure in Bishop Lavis during the 2026/2027 financial year, by rehabilitating the reticulation network along Robert Sobukwe Road and Stellenbosch Arterial Road.

Following repeated sewer collapses over the past two years, the City’s pipeline replacement model identified this section for prioritisation after CCTV inspections found that ageing infrastructure consisting of 50-year-old concrete pipes, was the primary cause of the collapses.

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The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Alderman Zahid Badroodien, and Ward 22 Councillor Johanna Martlow visited the project on 18 August 2026 to assess progress on site. The 703 metre project scope is scheduled for completion by May 2027.

To rehabilitate the sewers, a trenchless method known as cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining is being used. This process involves inserting a resin-coated textile tube into the existing pipe, which is then cured in place to form a strong, seamless and joint-free lining inside the existing pipeline. This allows the sewer to be rehabilitated without having to excavate the entire length of the pipeline, helping to minimise disruption at surface level.

The project scope also includes:

  • CCTV inspections before and after rehabilitation,
  • Thorough cleaning of sewer lines to remove foreign objects and illegally dumped debris, and
  • Targeted repairs where necessary.

The City also plans to extend the rehabilitation through a second phase, which will see further sections of the bulk sewer restored.

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‘This vital rehabilitation project will improve the reliability of the bulk sewer system serving Bishop Lavis and surrounding areas and will help reduce the risk of sewer collapses and overflows. Unfortunately, this project, like many City infrastructure projects, has been affected by an extortion incident.

‘As a result, the City, through its contractor, has had to increase armed security on site to ensure that this important work can continue. The City has zero tolerance for extortionists,’ said Alderman Badroodien.

Residents are urged to call the City’s tip-off line to report these incidents, which can be done anonymously.

The hotline is toll-free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It provides residents with a dedicated channel to report incidents of extortion directly to the City, anonymously and without fear of intimidation.

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Anonymous 24/7 extortion tip-off hotline:

 

Caption 1:  Nomcebo Ndlela (City Project Manager) explains the project to the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Alderman Zahid Badroodien, and Ward 22 Councillor Johanna Martlow during their visit to the Bishop Lavis Sewer Rehabilitation project.

Caption 2: Preparatory works are under way on site ahead of the commencement of CIPP lining by the City’s contractor. From left: Nomcebo Ndlela (City Project Manager), Councillor Johanna Martlow (Ward 22), Alderman Zahid Badroodien and Chris Dempers (City contractor).

Caption 3: Alderman Zahid Badroodien inspects the work under way at the Bishop Lavis Sewer Rehabilitation project.

 

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