Over 5km of sewers rehabilitated in Pinelands ahead of schedule
18 August 2026
A R7,9 million sewer rehabilitation project in Pinelands has been completed ahead of schedule, renewing more than 5,1km of ageing sewer infrastructure. The project forms part of the City of Cape Town's proactive pipe replacement programme, which aims to rehabilitate or replace up to 100km of sewer infrastructure annually across the city. Read more below:
The City's Water and Sanitation Directorate initiated the rehabilitation of a total of 5 175m of 150mm and 225mm diameter sewer mains across Ambleside Road, Victoria Avenue, Derwent Way, Coniston Way, Keswick Way, Ullswater Road, Grasmere Road, Welwyn Avenue, Chipstead Way, Hampstead Way, Lulworth Way, End Way, Richmond Avenue, Parkchester Avenue, Forest Drive, Wythenshawe Avenue, Dagbreek Road and Ajax Way.
The project was completed on 27 May 2026, more than a month ahead of the anticipated completion date of 30 June 2026.
The R7,9 million project used a cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining method, a trenchless technology that rehabilitates ageing sewer mains without the need to excavate the entire length of the existing pipeline.
This approach helps to reduce disruption to residents, traffic and surrounding infrastructure while extending the service life of the existing sewer network.
The rehabilitation process included:
- Isolating sections of the pipeline;
- Over-pumping or bypassing flows;
- Inserting a resin-saturated liner into the host pipe;
- Curing the liner in place;
- CCTV inspections;
- Robotic cutting; and
- Final pipe testing
The project forms part of the City's proactive approach to renewing ageing sewer infrastructure before failures occur. By intervening while infrastructure can still be rehabilitated, the City aims to improve the reliability and resilience of the sewer network and reduce the risk of future blockages, collapses and service disruptions.
‘We have set an ambitious target to replace at least 100 kilometres of sewer pipeline every year and we have exceeded that target in the previous three financial years. This sustained investment demonstrates our commitment to renewing Cape Town’s infrastructure, strengthening the reliability of essential services and planning for the needs of a growing city.
‘Projects like this are made possible by residents who pay their water and sanitation tariffs. These contributions directly enable the City to maintain, replace and expand critical infrastructure. I thank residents for their continued support and partnership as we work to deliver a more resilient water and sanitation system for Cape Town,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Residents can help reduce sewer overflows:
- Don't flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper. Anything else will block the pipes. See www.capetown.gov.za/blocked-sewers.
- Use only the City's solid waste services provided to get rid of your waste.
- Report sewer blockages and overflows using one of the City's official channels.
- Report vandalism of the sewer system and stolen or missing sewer manhole covers.
- Use the City's drop-off facilities to get rid of recyclables. See https://bit.ly/3mhagVh
Caption 1: Following completion of the CIPP rehabilitation of the sewer pipe, CCTV inspections are conducted to assess the rehabilitated line. From left: Chris Dempers (Site Agent), Brett Elliott (Contracts Manager), Asavela Jack (City Project Manager), Tameron Paulse (Ward Clerk), Councillor Riad Davids (Ward Councillor for Ward 53) and Motlatsi Rashmani (Contractor).
Caption 2: A total of 5,175km of sewer mains were rehabilitated as part of the Pinelands Sewer Rehabilitation Project. From left: Chris Dempers, Brett Elliott, Nathan Finck, Councillor Riad Davids (Ward Councillor for Ward 53), Asavela Jack (City Project Manager) and Tameron Paulse (Ward Clerk).
Caption 3: Andrin Ludolph from Tuboseal conducts an inspection of the sewer line following its rehabilitation.
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