The City of Cape Town has initiated a two-stage tender process to appoint a private partner for the R2.83 billion Faure New Water Scheme. The project aims to add 70 to 100 million litres of drinking water per day, strengthening the city's water resilience. The scheme involves advanced treatment technology to purify treated wastewater from the upgraded Zandvliet Wastewater Treatment Works to meet South African and international quality standards.
The procurement process, which began on September 25, 2026, will follow a public-private partnership (PPP) delivery model. This model was approved by the City council in principle in December 2025. The PPP will enable the City to identify a private-sector partner to finance, design, construct, operate and maintain the scheme in partnership with the City. The project is expected to bring together expertise and investment needed to deliver a project of this scale.
The City had conducted a public participation process, receiving over 100 comments for both Paarden Eiland and the Faure New Water Scheme by December 2025. These comments were incorporated into the feasibility reports recommended to council for their decision. Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation Zahid Badroodien stated that starting the procurement process was an important milestone in developing a new, reliable source of drinking water for Cape Town.
The Faure New Water Scheme is one of several projects contributing towards the City's target of adding 300 million litres of drinking water per day from new sources by the mid-2030s. The Zandvliet Wastewater Treatment Works, commissioned in 2019, currently produces up to 10 million litres of purified water per day. The new Faure project will further strengthen Cape Town's water resilience.
The procurement process will involve a two-stage competitive bidding process. The first stage is a Request for Qualification (RFQ), where suitably qualified consortia, investors, contractors, operators and technology providers with relevant experience are invited to participate. Those who meet the requirements will be invited to participate in the Request for Proposals (RFP) stage, scheduled for the second half of 2027.
Badroodien encouraged local and international participants with experience in large-scale water, infrastructure and PPP projects to review the procurement documentation and consider participating. He emphasized that the PPP model will not involve selling the City's water assets or allow private operators to set water tariffs or run water services independently.
The Faure New Water Scheme forms part of the City's broader approach to diversifying its water supply and strengthening its resilience as the city grows. The scheme is expected to contribute significantly to Cape Town's water future, and the City is seeking a private partner to help deliver this critical project.
Key points
- The City of Cape Town is seeking a private partner to finance, build and operate the R2.83 billion Faure New Water Scheme.
- The project aims to add 70 to 100 million litres of drinking water per day, strengthening the city's water resilience.
- The procurement process will follow a two-stage competitive bidding process, with a Request for Qualification (RFQ) and a Request for Proposals (RFP) stage.
