City gets cracking on rehabilitating Belrail bulk sewer

16 September 2026

A complex R18 million project to rehabilitate and upgrade a crucial sewer line in Bellville is under way. It will strengthen the network, reduce the risk of failures and support more reliable sanitation services for residents.

The Belrail sewer is located 5,5 to six metres underground and passes beneath eight railway lines, five of which are active. Some sections are severely deteriorated, with parts of the existing pipe completely missing.

The depth of the sewer, limited access and its condition make conventional excavation difficult, particularly beneath the railway corridor where extensive excavation could disrupt railway operations.

The project is therefore using a combination of semi-trenchless technology, pipe-cracking and slip-lining to reduce the amount of excavation required and minimise disruption.

The rehabilitation includes:

• Rerouting 460m of sewer pipes at the intersection of Robert Sobukwe Road and Belrail Road in Bellville.
• Rehabilitating the same sewer line downstream in Suid Street.
• Rehabilitating about 200 m of the 400 mm diameter pipeline, which conveys sewage from Bellville CBD to the Bellville Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW).
• Rehabilitating the existing 375 mm diameter sewer line and upgrading it to a new, durable 400 mm high-density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipeline.

The City is mindful of the potential impact of the works on surrounding residents and has taken measures to minimise noise and other disturbances. Silent pumps are being used for over-pumping, with additional measures in place to limit construction noise.

‘This project is an important investment in the long-term reliability of Cape Town’s wastewater network. By proactively rehabilitating ageing infrastructure, we are reducing the risk of failures and ensuring that our sewer network can continue to support our growing city and its communities.

‘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,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Alderman Zahid Badroodien.

The City thanks residents and affected stakeholders for their patience and understanding while this essential work is under way. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2026, subject to construction progress and conditions.

Caption 1:  The Belrail sewer rehabilitation is currently under way.

Caption 2: Neil Van Rooyen (Trenchless Technologies) and Neville Jones (City of Cape Town Project Manager) at one of the excavation sites as part of the Belrail sewer rehabilitation project.

Caption 3: The City and contracting team on site during the Belrail sewer rehabilitation project in Bellville.
 

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