To boost service delivery for residents, the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has invested over R155,5 million in a fleet of 176 new and upgraded vehicles, including high-tech trucks designed to clear blockages faster and tankers to supply clean water during disruptions. Read more below:
This investment made during the 2024/2025 financial year is a key part of ensuring reliable, efficient and sustainable water and sanitation services citywide. Of the total 176 vehicles procured, 71 are replacing old and redundant vehicles, and 105 are additional vehicles to enhance the existing fleet capacity.
What’s new in the fleet?
Some of the new high-tech additions include:
- One crane truck for pipeline maintenance, burst pipe repairs, and valve/meter replacements
- One jet-machine truck with a 7 000-litre capacity (upgraded from previous 5 000-litre models)
- Eight water tankers (10 000-litre capacity) to supply communities during water outages
- Two vacuum combination-unit trucks with a total capacity of 14 000 litres (9 500 litres for sewage and 5 000 litres for potable water)
- Nine super-sucker trucks, each with a 12 500-litre capacity, able to vacuum 200 litres in six seconds using a 60-metre pipe
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, recently visited the department’s fleet yard to inspect the new vehicles and meet with depot operators and fleet teams.
‘These trucks are being deployed to our Reticulation and Informal Settlements Basic Services branches to improve turnaround times for service requests. I’m especially excited about the new water tankers – they’re essential for getting water to communities quickly during planned maintenance or unexpected bursts,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
‘While the City invests annually in water and sanitation infrastructure to ensure blockages can be cleared effectively, we also remind residents that they can help us reduce sewer overflows and prevent blockages. Please do not use toilets, kitchen sinks and sewer drains to dispose of dirt. Let’s be mindful of what we are flushing down our toilets, pouring down our sinks and allowing to enter the sewer drains. Cleaner pipes and quicker responses start with all of us being responsible about what goes down the drain,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
Visit the City’s website for tips on how residents can help keep our sewers clear: www.capetown.gov.za/blocked-sewers.
