Cape Town: A group of curious Grade-7 learners from Bokmakierie Primary School in Hazendal, has recently stepped beyond the classroom to see where their water goes, and why it matters for their future. Their visit to the Athlone Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) offered a first-hand look at how wastewater is treated. While building a deeper understanding of the role they can play in protecting water as our vital resource.
As part of broader water-wise awareness efforts, the Community Engagement team of the City of Cape Town hosted the learners at the Athlone WWTW in March 2026. The day’s activities began with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the plant, which is located in the area where many of the learners live and attend school.
The plant treats wastewater and produces treated effluent, that gave learners insight into a process that often goes unseen but plays a vital role in everyday life.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Water and Sanitation – Councillor Zahid Badroodien stated that it’s vital that our young people understand the importance of protecting the drinking water supply and how wastewater is treated, because these are part of our daily lives.
More importantly, it’s about equipping the next generation with the knowledge and awareness to care for our water resources in the long-term. While current dam levels are 61.2% and water-saving remains important. These lessons go beyond immediate challenges but are about building lifelong habits.
Cllr Badroodien added that they are continuously looking for ways to share this message in a way that connects with young people. Age-appropriate programmes improve understanding and encourage learners to take what they have learned back to their homes and communities.
During the tour, learners explored key parts of the treatment process, including the inlet works, primary sedimentation tanks and the process control building. From there, they could view the entire plant, including the bio-reactors and secondary sedimentation tanks. They also saw the final treated effluent leaving the plant via the Vygekraal River.
Learners were also introduced to some of the plant’s latest upgrades, including new standby generators and aeration blowers. These improvements forms part of a broader upgrade that replaced key biological treatment equipment, such as the Fine Bubble Diffused Aeration (FBDA) system, submersible mixers and aeration blowers. The Return Activated Sludge (RAS), East and West pump stations were also upgraded, it enhanced treatment efficiency and improved the quality of treated effluent.
Looking ahead, the City of Cape Town is planning a further R4 billion upgrade to expand treatment capacity, that is scheduled to begin in 2031. This will be implemented in two phases and will include a new high-tech inlet works, additional treatment modules, a dewatering facility and a new disinfection facility. Once completed, the plant’s capacity will increase from 105 ML/D to 155 ML/D.
The day concluded with an interactive and fun educational programme focused on practical ways, in which learners can become more water-wise in their daily lives. A highlight for many was a special appearance by ‘Manzi’, the City’s Water and Sanitation mascot. Since July 2025, the community engagement team has already reached over 103 schools and will continue expanding this work.