Cape Town is saving more than 8 billion litres of drinking water every year by expanding the use of treated effluent, as dam levels drop below 50 percent and rainfall remains uncertain.
The initiative forms part of the City of Cape Town’s broader vision of becoming a water-sensitive city, where water resources are protected, used efficiently, and supplemented with alternative supply sources.
Through the increased use of treated effluent, wastewater that has undergone extensive purification processes, the City is reducing its reliance on potable water for non-drinking purposes such as irrigation and industrial use.
Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, said the initiative is essential in safeguarding Cape Town’s long-term water security.
“We should only be using drinking water for essential purposes,” Badroodien said. “This long-standing initiative forms part of the City’s broader vision of becoming a water-sensitive city that protects its water resources, uses water more efficiently, and embraces alternatives like treated effluent.”
Badroodien recently visited treated effluent reuse pump stations in Bellville and Scottsdene, where he observed the infrastructure supporting the system. These facilities play a key role in reducing demand on the City’s drinking water supply.
Currently, treated effluent is supplied from nine wastewater treatment plants across Cape Town, including Athlone, Bellville, Cape Flats, Kraaifontein, Macassar, Potsdam, Scottsdene, Zandvliet and Melkbosstrand.
A portion of the treated water is further filtered and distributed specifically for non-potable uses. It is also more cost-effective than standard drinking water, offering financial benefits to businesses and institutions that adopt it.
The Bellville treated effluent reuse system, commissioned in March 2025, is already delivering around 4.3 million litres of treated water per day across a network stretching approximately 15 kilometres.
Meanwhile, the Scottsdene system, which began construction in September 2023, is expected to be fully operational by the end of April 2026. Once completed, it will supply up to 6 million litres daily over a network of about 14 kilometres.
At present, 345 users are connected to a network spanning 330 kilometres, with demand expected to increase as more sectors, including industry, schools, parks and sports facilities, adopt the system.
Additional infrastructure projects are also progressing, with the Zandvliet treated effluent system currently 85 percent complete and scheduled for completion by September 2026.
Badroodien has encouraged more businesses and institutions to consider using treated effluent, noting that wider adoption will help conserve water resources and reduce costs.
“The more customers that engage with this innovative option, the better for our precious water resources,” he said.
As climate pressures continue and rainfall patterns remain unpredictable, the City is positioning treated effluent as a key component of its long-term water resilience strategy.
Source: Cape {town} Etc – Sibuliso Duba
