Delegates attending the 2026 conference hosted by the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) will have the opportunity to engage directly with some of Cape Town’s most forward-thinking water, sanitation and ecological restoration initiatives through a series of curated technical tours.
These tours offer a unique, on-the-ground perspective of how the City of Cape Town and its partners are tackling water security, sanitation access and environmental rehabilitation in the face of climate change, rapid urbanisation and growing demand.Strengthening water resilience on the Cape Flats
One of the flagship tours will visit the Cape Flats Managed Aquifer Recharge and Advanced Water Treatment Plant (AWRP) at Zeekoevlei Nature Reserve in Pelican Park. The Cape Flats AWRP is a cornerstone of the city’s long-term water resilience strategy. Located adjacent to the Cape Flats Wastewater Treatment Works, the plant applies advanced treatment processes – including ozone disinfection and ultraviolet (UV) technology – to convert purified wastewater into high-quality drinking water. Once completed in April 2027, the facility will augment the Cape Flats Aquifer, a critical groundwater source for the metro. This forms part of the City’s groundwater action plan to diversify supply sources, reduce reliance on surface dams, and strengthen resilience against drought and climate variability.Upgraded Zandvliet works boost sanitation and water reuse
Delegates will also visit the recently upgraded Zandvliet Wastewater Treatment Works in Somerset West. Following a R2 billion expansion completed in 2024, the plant now delivers increased treatment capacity and significantly improved effluent quality. The upgraded works provide sanitation services to rapidly growing communities including Khayelitsha, Delft, Mfuleni, Blue Downs and Eerste River. Improved effluent quality reduces pollution into the Kuils–Eerste River estuary and helps the city meet regulatory standards. Looking ahead, the facility is earmarked to evolve into a water recovery plant. Treated effluent will be further purified via the Faure Water Scheme to potable standards and blended with dam water to strengthen Cape Town’s future water supply.Piloting innovative sanitation technologies for informal settlements
The Sustainable Sanitation and Technological Advancement for a New Era (SASTEP) programme will give delegates a close look at next-generation, non-sewered sanitation technologies being piloted in informal settlements. Sites in Strandfontein and Khayelitsha – including Masincedane, 7 de Laan and OR Tambo settlements – are testing systems such as Clear Enviro Loo, Aquonic and NewGen technologies.These low-energy, water-recycling systems are designed for areas without bulk sewer infrastructure and aim to deliver dignified, safe sanitation solutions while stimulating local manufacturing and job creation.
The programme is a collaborative effort between the City of Cape Town, the Water Research Commission and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, focusing on demonstrating and scaling sustainable sanitation innovation. Early pilot installations were implemented in 2024.
