Stellenbosch Municipality’s opened its new state of the art waste water treatment works earlier this year on Thursday March 4, and is described by the municipality as a welcome addition to the rapidly expanding town.
The project completed last year, is the single biggest capital expenditure item and bulk infrastructure project in the history of Stellenbosch.
Anton Bredell, the MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, has welcomed the project.
“The rapid expansion of Stellenbosch was placing pressure on the old facility and hampering further developments and economic growth within the urban edge of the town. The new facility has greatly improved the town’s wastewater treatment capacity and the incorporation of innovative technology will make any future upgrades easy and cost effective,” says Mr Bredell.
The initial construction started in 2015 and the total budget for the project was R 394 million (excluding VAT). The project was funded by Stellenbosch Municipality and co-funded by the Department of Water and Sanitation through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant.
“The new upgrades make this facility the largest ultrafiltration membrane biological reactor WWTW in South Africa and the plant is today capable of handling up to 35 Mℓ per day,” he adds.
Mr Bredell says it is critical that municipalities continuously invest in infrastructure in their communities.
“It is vital to maintain existing infrastructure and to upgrade and expand existing infrastructure where needed, in order to meet future demand. This is the only way municipalities can continue to provide people with the services they deserve. I want to congratulate Stellenbosch municipality and its leadership for this well-functioning, modern facility.”