The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has successfully installed 37 modern, 12KW inverters at 27 critical sewer pump stations in the past six months. This R10,9 million investment helps to improve our resilience against load-shedding and prevent sewer spills.
Read more below:
This strategic project began in July 2023 with the objective of reducing sewer overflows, particularly during power outages. Uninterrupted power supply improves the reliability of the sanitation system and minimises the environmental impact of sewer spills.
Integration of these sophisticated inverters demonstrates the City's commitment to finding solutions to the ongoing challenge of power disruptions. Having an alternative power source reduces the likelihood of pump station failure and resultant overflows.
Each inverter is fitted with at least one battery, which can provide up to four hours of back-up power and in the long term, last for up to 20 years.
Installation at indoor pump stations took approximately two to three days to complete, while outdoor installations took up to two weeks. This is because the outdoor venues required non-standard enclosures to be custom manufactured and fitted.
Key benefits of pump station inverters include:
· Uninterrupted operations
Inverters keep pump stations operational during power outages ensuring a continuous and dependable sewage management system, while reducing the risk of sewer spills during load-shedding.
· Improved monitoring and control
The newly-installed inverters are equipped with advanced technology to monitor the power status at pump stations, which allows for real-time responses. This enables staff to make adjustments quickly as conditions change, resulting in a more efficient and reliable sewer infrastructure.
Having inverters at pump stations is also a proactive step towards minimising the environmental impact on our waterways. This initiative aligns with the City's broader commitment to sustainable practices and environmental conservation.
‘The City's Water and Sanitation Directorate remains committed to providing reliable, resilient and long-term services. This project demonstrates our proactive approach to infrastructure maintenance to safeguard against potential disruptions in sanitation services. The procurement processes are being followed to have more inverters installed at other pump stations,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Supplied by: City of Cape Town
Note to broadcasters: an audio clip is available for download: bit.ly/4bh9xeA
