At a time when much of Cape Town is being encouraged to reduce water use and limit irrigation and other non-essential activities, Century City is pleased to confirm that our irrigation water supply is on, stable and operating as normal.
As a result, our gardens and parks are green and thriving, not only providing a sense of tranquility, but also supporting a wonderful biodiversity of plant and animal life in the precinct.
Gordon Ralph, COO of the Century City Property Owners Association (CCPOA), says the community is benefiting from a forward-thinking water infrastructure strategy that includes treated, non-potable effluent water sourced from the City of Cape Town’s Potsdam Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW).
“This enables us to use reclaimed water for irrigation rather than potable drinking water, protecting Cape Town’s precious drinking supply while keeping our green spaces healthy and thriving,” says Ralph.
“With improved and reliable water quality now available, we encourage all property owners to take the opportunity to maintain their irrigation systems, revamp landscaping where required, and engage with CCPOA if major landscaping revamps are intended.”
A Strategic and Sustainable Water Source
The Potsdam WWTW plays a critical role in Cape Town’s long term water resilience strategy and is currently being upgraded to significantly increase its capacity and quality of treated effluent supplied for non-potable uses, such as irrigation.
Located in Milnerton, it is one of the Western Cape’s largest infrastructure projects at a cost of R5.2 billion. Construction started in April 2023 and is set for completion in late 2027.
The upgraded facility will deliver far more treated water and improved reliability to support communities, businesses and landscapes in Century City.
Potsdam images credit: City of Cape Town, source: Facebook.
What This Means for Century City
For Century City residents, businesses and visitors, this infrastructure delivers real advantages. Our landscaped public spaces, parks and gardens can continue to be irrigated efficiently and responsibly. The visual quality and environmental health of our precinct is preserved without relying on potable water intended for human consumption. At the same time, our approach supports the City’s broader water saving goals by maximising the reuse of treated wastewater.
In practical terms, while many suburbs are required to limit garden watering and other non-essential water use, Century City is able to operate as usual thanks to proactive infrastructure planning and investment in alternative water sources.
Sustainability in Action
Century City’s reputation as a leader in sustainable urban living is reflected not only in its water infrastructure but also in the environmental practices adopted by many of the buildings and organisations operating within the community.
Canal Walk Shopping Centre is a superb example, with the centre implementing a range of initiatives designed to reduce water consumption and help conserve Cape Town’s potable water supplies. It has achieved a 5-Star Green Star Existing Building Performance Award from the Green Building Council of South Africa, recognising its strong performance in water efficiency and overall environmental management.
This approach is mirrored across other green-rated commercial and mixed-use buildings within Century City, where alternative water sources, efficient plumbing systems and smart building management practices are increasingly standard.
These combined efforts have positioned Century City as a precinct where sustainability is actively implemented rather than aspirational.
Looking Ahead
As the Potsdam Wastewater Treatment Works upgrade progresses towards completion in 2027, Century City will continue to benefit from a resilient and sustainable irrigation water supply designed to support future growth and climate variability.
Century City remains green, functional and forward-looking.
