The City has completed the feasibility study to determine the most feasible service delivery mechanism and contracting model for the implementation and operation of the planned Paarden Eiland Desalination Plant. All residents and stakeholders are invited to comment on the outcome of the feasibility study, which will determine how the City’s first desalination plant will be built, operated and maintained. Comments are open until 31 August 2025. Read more below:
The City is committed to achieving its ambitious commitment to produce 300 million litres of new water from new water sources by 2032. The New Water Programme will ensure that 11% of Cape Town’s water supply will be sourced from seawater desalination to help meet a growing demand and improve resilience.
About permanent desalination:
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The Constitution requires that municipalities must provide water services to communities. The City is the designated water services authority and owns all existing and planned water services infrastructure in Cape Town. We also currently operate all of our drinking water supply systems. The City will remain the owner of the desalination plant. However, the complex nature and cost of a sustainable desalination plant require us to explore the feasibility of all potential options to construct and/or operate this project for a period.
In line with the legal requirements under section 78(3)(b)(iii) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000, the City held two community meetings in February 2025 to get community input on the implementation and operational options it explored through a feasibility study. Your comments and concerns have been received. In terms of section 120(6)(b) of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 56 of 2003, the City is now encouraging residents to submit their inputs regarding the outcome of the feasibility study.
Some key points and recommendations in the study are:
- The recommended procurement model for the project is an external service delivery mechanism delivered through a Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
- The recommended PPP structure is for the private party to design, finance, build, operate and maintain the plant for 20 years before transferring it to the City.
- The plant will remain City-owned.
- The unique risk profile of desalination projects makes these facilities particularly well-suited to benefit from a PPP.
The full report can be accessed here.
‘Even though this part of the public participation process does not require any face-to-face engagements, the City will host one in person public participation session in order to ensure that this process is as fair and transparent as possible. Your valuable input will help shape the final feasibility study before it is considered by Council in December 2025,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
Submit your comments by Sunday, 31 August 2025:
- Email: public.participation@capetown.gov.za
- Online: www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay
- Deliver your written comments by hand to your nearest Sub-councils office: https://bit.ly/3CUlnKW
The proposed site location for the Paarden Eiland Desalination Plant.
