Deputy Minister visits City's major water and sanitation projects

16 August 2026

The City of Cape Town recently hosted newly appointed Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Dr Jack Bloom, on an oversight visit to several of its key water and sanitation facilities, highlighting the City's continued investment in resilient infrastructure, innovative sanitation solutions and major wastewater treatment upgrades worth billions of rand.

‘We welcomed the opportunity to showcase the City's investment in resilient water and sanitation infrastructure and demonstrate how innovation and long-term planning are helping us build services that can meet the needs of a growing city. Projects such as the Potsdam WWTW upgrade and our innovative off-grid sanitation solutions reflect our commitment to improving service delivery while protecting the environment and supporting economic growth,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

The programme included visits to the innovative off-grid sanitation solution recently piloted at the OR Tambo Informal Settlement in Khayelitsha, which was handed over to the community in December 2025; the Koeberg Pump Station sand trap and screening Facility, commissioned in May 2026; and the Potsdam Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW), where the City is investing R5,2 billion in one of its largest wastewater infrastructure upgrades to date.

‘I've been very impressed, particularly by the Potsdam Wastewater Treatment Works. It's a project that's on time, meeting its objectives, and the residents are pleased with it. It's an example for other municipalities to emulate,’ said Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Dr Jack Bloom.

The R5,2 billion Potsdam WWTW upgrade forms part of the City's long-term commitment to building a resilient, world-class water and sanitation utility capable of meeting the needs of a growing population. By modernising critical infrastructure, the City is strengthening service reliability, protecting sensitive ecosystems and supporting long-term sustainable development across the metro.

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