Machine arrives at Cape Town's Zeekoevlei for dredging to begin

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The City of Cape Town recently revealed that the components of the floating suction dredger have arrived at Zeekoevlei.

Here, the project team will assemble the machine, and if all goes as planned, testing will take place at the end of this week.

“I am very pleased to say that all is on track for the dredging of Zeekoevlei to commence by mid-June 2025. The components arrived over the weekend, this in itself was quite an operation, and in coming days the dredger will be assembled and once ready, tested on the vlei.” the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews said.

What exactly is dredging?

Dredging is the process of removing sediment, debris, and other materials from the bottom of water bodies such as rivers, lakes, harbours, and oceans.

The process is done using specialised equipment to deepen waterways, maintain navigation channels, prevent flooding, or reclaim land. Dredging is also commonly used in port maintenance, environmental cleanups, and construction projects.

“Improving the water quality at Zeekoevlei is a priority. The dredging will assist in removing pollutants and improving the overall health of this ecosystem. The intention is to dredge and remove as much of the nutrient rich sediment as possible over a period of 26 months,” Alderman Andrews added.

The City said that two sections of Zeekoevlei will be dredged over the 26 months, first Storm Bay and thereafter the contractor will move to the section known as Home Bay.

The dredged material will then be pumped with a slurry pipeline from Zeekoevlei to dewatering ponds where the sediment can dry out.