A R19-million waste-water treatment plant, which will save a thirsty Cape Town millions of litres a day, is to be commissioned in the city on Thursday.
The revamped Potsdam plant will eventually supply 38-million litres of non-potable water to the Blaauwberg area, project manager Anic Smit said on Wednesday.
He said an existing plant on the site supplied five to seven megalitres to clients in the area, including a golf course, a pulp mill and a number of schools, as well as to public open spaces.
The water, channelled through dedicated pipes, is treated to the general standard laid down by the Department of Water Affairs for returning to the environment.
In addition, it is disinfected by exposure to ultraviolet light.
Smit said there were several other small plants in the city that supplied treated effluent for non-drinking purposes.
He said a study had shown that financing and installing ”proper” effluent treatment systems like the new Potsdam one will mean the city would be able to save 30% of the capacity of the under-construction Berg River Dam every year.
This figure is based on the feasibility limits of a particular tariff. If the tariff is increased, the scheme could be extended even further. — Sapa