Webinar series brings Water and Sanitation’s 2025/26 budget to the public
On Wednesday, 3 September 2025, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, hosted the first in a series of online public engagement sessions. The first instalment outlined plans for the directorate’s R5,08 billion budget for 2025/26. Residents’ water bills were also explained as well as a breakdown of upcoming major capital investments projects – from wastewater and sewer upgrades, to the City’s New Water Programme.
‘Earlier this year, we set out Cape Town’s Budget of Hope. This first session builds on that by going into detail in a transparent way about how the Water and Sanitation budget will improve infrastructure for a better future. The reality is that there are some real big ticket items where investments are needed to keep our services running, such as: upgrades to Macassar Wastewater Treatment Works, rehabilitation of the Trappies sewer network in Gordon’s Bay and progressing desalination and water reuse schemes,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
What the R5,08 billion budget funds
Some of the largest investments this year include:
- Wastewater treatment works – over R1,8 billion, including major expansions at Potsdam, Macassar, Bellville, Wesfleur and Wildevoëlvlei.
- Sewer network upgrades – R1,25 billion, with significant work in Philippi, Cape Flats, Trappies and Milnerton.
- New Water Programme – R538,5 million to expand desalination, water reuse and groundwater schemes, building resilience for Cape Town’s water future.
- Water pipe replacement – R259 million to continue replacing ageing water infrastructure throughout the city.
- Waterways and flood prevention – R198 million, including upgrades to the Manenberg Canal and Sir Lowry’s Pass River.
Upcoming Water Webinar Sessions
Next in the series is a range of topics to offer residents a platform where they can get clarification and a better understanding of what informed the City’s investment strategy:
- 17 September 2025: How we extract and recharge our underground water
- 1 October 2025: Desalination – turning seawater into drinking water
- 29 October 2025: Reusing treated wastewater safely
- 12 November 2025: Clearing alien plants (yes, this helps our water supply!)
- 26 November 2025: Replacing old pipes – the strategy behind it
- 10 December 2025: The future of marine outfalls
- 21 January 2026: Cleaning up our rivers and vleis
- 4 February 2026: Project 7 000 – fixing roads after pipe work
‘Capital injections in upgrading and maintaining the City’s infrastructure is not an option – it’s the foundation of an efficient, well-run city. These conversations are another way that we’re trying to keep residents involved as the bigger picture unfolds, while projects are being implemented on the ground to keep essential services running,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
Residents who would like to participate in the upcoming online sessions can send an email to mmc.waterandsanitation@capetown.gov.za for more information and login details.
