Work on the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s pipe replacement programme is accelerating, with multiple sewer and water pipe replacement projects progressing full steam ahead. One of these projects, which kicked off on 25 January 2025, is the rehabilitation of the sewer network in Panorama. The work will see 2,6 km of sewers rehabilitated.
As part of the Mayoral Priority Programme (MPP), the City has allocated R323 million for infrastructure maintenance and pipe replacements in the 2024/2025 financial year. This investment supports the directorate’s strategy to reduce sewer overspills and improve service delivery in sanitation.
The Panorama project involves rehabilitation of approximately 2,6 kms of 150 mm diameter sewer pipelines, across several streets including: Piketberg Street, Constantia Street, Alk van Zyl Avenue, Drostdy Street, Panorama Drive, Hennie Winterbach Street, Heidelberg Street and Cradock Street. The pipeline replacement model was applied and identified the area for prioritisation due to repeated sewer overflows and collapses over the past two years. Investigations through CCTV inspections revealed that ageing infrastructure comprising 50-year-old fibre cement pipes with excessive root intrusion was the primary cause of pipe bursts.
‘A large section of Panorama’s sewer pipes will be rehabilitated through this complex replacement project, which is expected to be completed by June 2025.
‘Residents should anticipate noise and traffic disruptions while work is under way. This will be managed by the City-appointed contractor. We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we undertake this essential maintenance work to improve sanitation services for the benefit of the community,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien. To rehabilitate the sewers, the City is using a trenchless method known as cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining. This process involves inserting a resin-coated textile tube into the existing pipe, which hardens to form a seamless, joint-free lining. CIPP is one of the most widely used trenchless rehabilitation techniques due to its efficiency and minimal surface disruption. The project scope also includes:
- CCTV inspections before and after rehabilitation,
- Thorough cleaning of sewer lines to remove illegally dumped debris, and
- Targeted repairs where necessary.
