Cape Town: High-level delegations from the World Bank took their time out of the 14th International Water Association (IWA) Conference to visit the key water and sanitation facilities in Cape Town. Their visit provided an opportunity to explore how the Water and Sanitation Directorate of the City of Cape Town is advancing plans to integrate the recycled water into extensive 12,000 km water network in Cape Town.
Reportedly, the conference welcomed the representatives from the World Bank were Water Global Director – Saroj Kumar Jha; Country Director for Southern Africa – Satu Kahkonen; Water Practice Manager of Africa – Soma Ghosh Moulik and Program Manager: 2030 Water Resources Group – Mike Webster, who served previously as Executive Director of the Water and Sanitation Directorate of the City of Cape Town.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Water and Sanitation – Councillor Zahid Badroodien addressed the challenges of water security and resilience that requires strong partnerships. The City of Cape Town values its engagement with the World Bank as their expertise and global experience help them refine the water reuse plans.
By working together, they can ensure a sustainable water future for Cape Town. The delegation then proceeded to site visits at key facilities, that included Steenbras Dam, Zandvliet WWTW and Potsdam WWTW, where significant upgrades are underway. The group also visited to an innovative sanitation technology pilot project in Masincedane, showing effort to improve sanitation service delivery in informal settlements.
Considering this, the World Bank Country Director for Southern Africa – Satu Kahkonen said that they were privileged to see the remarkable progress that the City of Cape Town has made in the delivery of Water and Sanitation.
The major highlight of the day was the visit to one of the largest Waste Water Treatments Works of South Africa consisting the Zandvliet WWTW.
Wastewater reuse is the future for a water insecure country alike South Africa. Cape Town is a considerable example of urban water resilience for other cities and municipalities in South Africa and other countries to follow.
The World Bank delegation also met with Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis; City Manager – Lungelo Mbandazayo; Executive Director for Water and Sanitation – Leonardo Manus and the Directors who are responsible for Water and Sanitation to learn more about how Cape Town managed the drought and derive lessons for other cities facing similar challenges.
Furthermore, the World Bank team congratulated the Mayor for the extent to which the City of Cape Town has learnt from the drought to build a world-class water utility that is investing in the infrastructure needed to withstand future droughts through revenues raised from customers while ensuring services that are delivered efficiently.
The City of Cape Town remains committed to strengthen its collaboration with the World Bank to advance water reuse and sustainable water management in Cape Town.