The City is in the feasibility study phase for its first permanent desalination plant, earmarked for the Paarden Eiland area. Picture: Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers
As the City moves forward with desalination plans to bolster its drinking water supply, opposition parties contend the municipality should consider more cost-effective options.
Recently, the City alongside industry leaders and experts, hosted an Energy Water Waste Forum (EWWF) event focusing on the New Water Programme (NWP).
The NWP is part of the City’s 2030 strategy to increase drinking water supply by 300 million litres a day, with alternative sources in order to build resilience and security against seasonal droughts with billions budgeted for the plan.
According to the City, the combination of initiatives – including desalination, water re-use, clearing of invasive plant species and groundwater schemes – make up the NWP.
Currently, the City is in the feasibility study phase for its first permanent desalination plant, earmarked for the Paarden Eiland area.
According to the City, it is expected to produce between 50 and 70 million litres of water daily through a scientific process that removes salts from seawater, “then processing it further to make it suitable and safe for human consumption”.
Mayco member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, said Cape Town has allocated the largest capital expenditure budget to Water and Sanitation.
“Water and Sanitation investment now makes up 42% of Cape Town’s R120 billion 10-year infrastructure pipeline.
“We are determined to see the New Water Programme through, ensuring that our city remains resilient and ready for the challenges ahead,” said Badroodien.
“Desalination is a critical part of the City’s action plan to provide for increased demand for drinking water into the future, taking into consideration the threat of climate shocks and drought.
“Water and Sanitation teams are working hard to ensure that water provision is sustainable and that the implementation of desalination benefits Cape Town residents and businesses.”
GOOD Party councillor, Lulama Benge said the feasibility studies appeared to be a check-box en route to Cape Town’s first permanent desalination plant in 2028.
He cautioned against the relentless pursuit of desalination technology, highlighting concerns over both its financial implications and environmental footprint.
Benge contended that while the need for water security is unequivocal, the move toward desalination could burden the City’s finances, among others. “GOOD does not deny the crucial need to secure our water supply. But we are deeply concerned (about) why the City is continuing down the desalination path when it has been proven that the financial and environmental costs are too high.
“The GOOD Party understands that groundwater extraction is the most cost-effective option for navigating the future of water sustainability.
“It is a quarter of the cost of desalination and takes less time to implement.
“The City has committed to increasing the available water supply by over 300 million litres per day, but at a cost of approximately R5.7 billion,” said Benge.
Cape Times
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