Water project saves millions for the City

By Mikhaila Crowie
29 April 2009

A water pressure management project, introduced by the City of Cape Town, is saving an estimated R83 million per year.

This project forms part of the City's Water Demand Management Strategy which focuses on initiatives, such as public awareness campaigns on water conservation, replacement of old infrastructure, the treatment and re-use of sewerage effluent and pressure management.

Mayoral Committee member for utility Services, Alderman Clive Justus said the City’s water pressure management project was introduced in 2001 to reduce leakage during off-peak periods.

“It was the first of its kind in South Africa. This plant alone is saving the City R55 million a year.”

The most recent large scale pressure management project was a R7.7 million Mitchells Plain project, which supports a population of an estimated 500 000 residents in the area.

“Prior to its installation, the area’s flow was 900 000 litres per hour.”