Join on WhatsApp
Get the latest updates directly on WhatsApp – motivation, news & more!
Join On WhatsApp
The City of Cape Town has confirmed that its first large-scale, permanent desalination plant will only be operational by November 2031 – six years from now – raising questions about the pace of implementation in a region still vulnerable to water stress despite current dam levels.
The plant is set to be built in Paarden Eiland, a light industrial zone located just 5 kilometres from Cape Town’s central business district. According to city officials, the site was selected following detailed technical, environmental, and financial assessments, with proximity to existing infrastructure and integration potential identified as key benefits.
Residents and stakeholders were given until 31 August 2025 to submit comments on the plant’s feasibility study, which will guide design, construction, and long-term operations.
Legacy of Day Zero Still Shapes Policy
While dam storage levels currently sit above 90%, Cape Town’s experience with the 2018 “Day Zero” crisis – when the city came dangerously close to running out of water – continues to shape its long-term planning.
As part of its Water Strategy, the city is aiming to add 300 million litres per day to its drinking water supply by 2032. Desalination is projected to account for about 11% of that total by 2040, with the Paarden Eiland facility expected to contribute between 50 and 70 million litres daily by the end of 2031.
Officials say diversifying water sources is no longer optional. Ageing infrastructure, growing demand, and the risk of declining raw water quality mean that desalination and reuse will be critical in reducing the likelihood of future water restrictions.
Public-Private Partnership Model Chosen
The desalination plant will be delivered through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Under this framework, a private company will design, finance, build, and operate the facility for a 20-year period. However, ownership will remain with the City of Cape Town.
The city’s feasibility study, completed between June 2023 and May 2025, identified the PPP approach as the most financially and operationally sustainable option. Similar models have been used in other global cities facing water security challenges.
In addition to Paarden Eiland, other sites including Muizenberg, Salt River, Koeberg, and Witzands were considered. The latter may still be developed in a future phase, pending further technical studies.
Environmental and Marine Concerns
The plant will span two land parcels – one owned by the city and the other by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), located on either side of Marine Drive (R27). The TNPA has signalled its willingness to lease land and infrastructure, including canals and culverts, to facilitate marine water intake and outflow.
However, the feasibility study acknowledges that the project poses environmental and social risks. These include disruption to sensitive marine ecosystems and interference with shipping routes in Table Bay. An environmental impact assessment (EIA) will be undertaken to address these concerns, covering both land-based and offshore infrastructure.
Tariffs and Costs to Rise Gradually
The City’s long-term Water Strategy has also outlined how the costs of these infrastructure projects will be recovered. The funding required – estimated at around R4 billion annually by 2032 – will be reflected in water and sanitation tariffs over time.
Tariff increases will be phased in gradually using a “smoothing” approach to avoid sudden price shocks. Fixed charges may increase, while per-kilolitre rates will be aligned with the actual cost of desalinated water production.
This financial model also incorporates projections from other major infrastructure projects, including:
- The Faure New Water Scheme, expected to come online in 2029/30, which will treat water from the Steenbras Dam system and local aquifers.
- The Cape Flats Wastewater Treatment Works upgrade, scheduled for completion in 2030/31, serving communities such as Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, and Philippi.
Together, these projects aim to improve water security for a growing metro population, while reducing reliance on a handful of traditional water sources vulnerable to drought and climate variability.