Guided by science, expertise, and collaboration, this desalination initiative forms part of the City’s New Water Programme, the City of Cape Town said in a statement.
By establishing a high-tech plant, stakeholders are aiming to secure a sustainable water future for Cape Town, while maintaining high drinking water standards in line with SANS 241:2015.
Desalination, a globally proven technology, converts seawater into safe drinking water. The Erongo Desalination Plant in Namibia has demonstrated the success of this technology, with plans for a second plant underway.
Advanced technology and environmental responsibility
The plant will utilise a multi-barrier treatment process, with Reverse Osmosis (RO) playing a key role in removing dissolved salts.
Additional steps, such as UV oxidation, may be included based on seawater quality assessments.
“Brine management is another critical component, with environmentally-responsible strategies outlined for discharging the concentrate into the sea,” the City added.
“All of these treatment methodologies adhere to global best practices, in an effort to manage plant operations efficiently, while minimising environmental impact.”
Desalination expert oversight
A multidisciplinary Independent Advisory Panel (IAP), consisting of local and international experts, is providing guidance on water quality, public safety, financing, desalination technology, water purification, engineering, and marine and environmental sciences.
The City is working towards a long-term agreement with the IAP via the Water Research Commission to oversee all project phases.
Building water resilience
The City learned some hard lessons during the Cape Town water crisis of 2015 – 2020 which almost saw a total collapse of its resevoir system.
City officials scrambled to establish water augmentation projects, which have since turned into longer-term investments.
“The proposed desalination plant forms part of the City’s broader Water Strategy to produce an additional 300 million litres of water per day from various sources,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
“These include water reuse, groundwater extraction, and the clearing of invasive alien plants.”
Desalination is expected to produce 50 to 70 million litres of water per day, significantly bolstering Cape Town’s diversified water resources.
“This will enable us to build resilience by supplementing our water supply, to provide for generations to come,” Badroondien added.
Public participation and next steps
A feasibility study is currently underway with the National Treasury’s Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC) to find practical and sustainable ways to finance and operate the project.
At the same time, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process has started. The initial scoping phase was completed in late 2024, and the formal scoping phase will begin during the first quarter of 2025.
The City is encouraging public participation to help shape the project’s direction.
How else could Cape Town improve its water security?
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