​The City has reached out to the construction industry to reassure them that the drought will not affect new or existing building applications but urges them to make use of the City’s supply of treated effluent water.
 
‘The City of Cape Town has for many years made provision for the supply of treated effluent to offset the use of potable water in the city. This use of this service is even more important during the drought where both industrial and residential customers are required to reduce their use of potable water in line with Level 5 water restrictions. This is especially important in the construction industry where the use of large quantities of water is unavoidable.

‘Using treated effluent on site makes financial sense because at R5,30 (including VAT) per kilolitre it is much cheaper than using potable water. More importantly, using treated effluent will make it easier for the construction industry to meet the Level 5 water reduction targets as well as help to conserve the City’s potable water supply,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Informal Settlements; Water and Waste; and Energy, Councillor Xanthea Limberg.

The City’s Water By-laws prohibit the use of drinking water for non-structural work such as dust control. Potable water must, however, be used for mixing cement as using lower quality water can adversely affect the structural integrity of concrete.
 
‘All developers are required to submit an application for the use of potable water on site prior to starting construction, but they can also apply to the City for the use treated effluent water. The City already supplies treated effluent water to schools, golf courses, parks, sports facilities, car- and window-washing companies, painting companies, and sewer cleaning companies, among others,’ said Councillor Limberg.
 
The City closely monitors levels of consumption of potable water and, as is done with other users, will issue warnings or fines if there is found to be excessive use. Applications for the use of potable water on site could also be reviewed if construction companies fail to reduce usage of potable water on site in line with current water restrictions.
 
Treated effluent can be supplied in three different ways:

• By connecting to the treated effluent pipe network
• By hiring a metered treated effluent standpipe
• By collecting it directly from the wastewater treatment works

 
To apply for supply of treated effluent water, residents should please visit the City’s website: www.capetown.gov.za/treated-effluent. This page outlines the application process and contains all relevant guidelines and forms, as well as copies of related by-laws for download.
 
‘I would like to thank those companies who have already established systems for the use of treated effluent in their operations, and encourage them to see if they can achieve even greater savings by making use of this resource,’ said Councillor Limberg.
 
Construction-related activities where treated effluent can be used include:

• Sub-base material for reinstating asphalt as per City specification
• Construction of road sub-base layers not sensitive to water quality requirement
• All construction site dust control
• Washing off of retarder from concrete
• Terrace works compaction
• Earthworks compaction
• Trench backfilling
• Cleaning of construction equipment
• Spraying on compacted surfaces

End