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Stellenbosch Wastewater Treatment Works

Zutari supported the upgrade of the Stellenbosch Wastewater Treatment Works to protect the Eerste River and surrounding communities through sustainable, resilient engineering.

Client

Stellenbosch Municipality

Project date

2014–2020

Nestled in the heart of South Africa’s Cape Winelands, the Eerste River sustains the region’s agricultural and agritourism economy, renowned for its grapes, wine, and deciduous fruit. Effluent from the Stellenbosch Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) flows into this vital river, posing a significant environmental and public health risk if not properly managed.

The opportunity

Over a decade ago, the WWTW was in a state of disrepair, struggling to meet effluent compliance and creating a hazard for the surrounding communities. With limited funding, the Stellenbosch Municipality sought to upgrade the facility to improve capacity, effluent quality, and odour control, ensuring compliance with the National Water Act and protecting the Eerste River.

What we did

Zutari was appointed as consulting engineers to plan, design, and supervise the upgrade of the WWTW. The project included:

  • A full biological nutrient removal process capable of treating 35 ML/day average dry weather flow

  • A new inlet works

  • A 27 ML/day membrane biological reactor (MBR) lane

  • Refurbishment of the existing plant to an 8 ML/day Conventional Activated Sludge (CAS) system with UV disinfection

  • New sludge treatment facilities

  • A state-of-the-art control system for process optimisation

  • Odour containment covers in high odour generation areas

  • Energy-efficient technologies, including fine bubble diffused aeration in the MBR lane, which is 15–20% more efficient than traditional systems


The upgrade was designed to accommodate flows from the town until 2035, supporting future development and economic growth.
The upgraded Stellenbosch WWTW protects the Eerste River and supports sustainable growth in the Cape Winelands.

The outcome

The project successfully delivered a resilient and sustainable wastewater treatment solution. It improved effluent quality, eliminated foul odours, and ensured compliance with national regulations. The plant now supports the region’s environmental health and economic development.

The Stellenbosch WWTW was recognised as the winner in the category ‘Projects between R250 Million to R1 Billion’ at the Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) AON Engineering Excellence Awards in 2020.

“This project is a testament to the technical skills in South Africa’s water industry, where consulting engineers like Zutari can deliver innovative, sustainable, and community-focused solutions.”

CESA Awards Panel

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