Proposed repair and upgrades of water and sewer infrastructure at Porter Estate, Tokai, Cape Town
- Status: Draft Basic Assessment Report
- Date of notice: 2024-11-07
- Closing date: 2024-12-09
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Western Cape Province’s Department of Infrastructure intends to undertake repairs and upgrades to potable water, fire and sewer infrastructure at Porter Estate located in Tokai, Cape Town. The upgrades and repairs stem from the need to replace ageing potable water, fire and sewer infrastructure that pose challenges to the delivery of clean water and effective fire and wastewater management. The efficient functioning of sewer, water and fire management systems is crucial for maintaining public health.
SITE DESCRIPTION
The proposed repairs and upgrades will occur at Porter Estate (remainder of farm 3346, Erf 1128, Erf 1130, and Erf 908) on the eastern slopes of Constantiaberg. The estate is flanked to the west by the Upper Tokai section of the Table Mountain National Park; to the east by the Lower Tokai section of the Park; Steenberg Estate to the south; and by Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate to the north. The site falls within ward 71 of Sub-council 20 of the City of Cape Town.
PROPOSAL
Proposals arise from the need to repair and upgrade water and sewer infrastructure and include the following activities:
- Replacement/installation of approximately 400 metres of potable water pipes within an area of indigenous vegetation
- Installation of approximately 30 metres of potable water pipes across watercourses,
- Replacement of about 600 metres of foul sewer pipes adjacent to a wetland seep area.
- Replacement of approximately 30 metres of foul sewer pipes within a valley-bottom wetland and tributaries of the Prinskateel River
- Excavation and trenching: The installation of sewer and water pipes may require excavation and trenching activities. These activities involve digging trenches along the designated routes for laying the pipes.
- Cured in place pipe repairs using trenchless technology without excavating or digging large trenches, wherever feasible.
- Surface reinstatement: After the pipe installation, repairs, and testing are successfully completed, the surface above the trench is reinstated. This may involve filling and levelling the ground, reseeding grass, repaving roadways or sidewalks, and restoring any other affected surface areas.
APPLICABLE LEGISLATION
The proposed activities require an environmental authorisation from the (National) Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), due to their location partially within a National Park (Table Mountain National Park). The activities requiring environmental authorisation include those set out below, as listed in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014 (as amended by GN 326 of 2017) and the National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998, NEMA):
- Activity 19 of Listing Notice 1 (GNR 327 of 2017): The infilling or depositing of any material of more than 10 cubic metres into, or the dredging, excavation, removal, or moving of soil, sand, shells, shell grit, pebbles, or rock of more than 10 cubic metres from a watercourse but excluding where such infilling, depositing, dredging, excavation, removal, or moving— ... (b) is for maintenance purposes undertaken in accordance with a maintenance management plan.
- Activity 12 of Listing Notice 3 (GNR 324 of 2017): The clearance of an area of 300 square metres or more of indigenous vegetation except where such clearance of indigenous vegetation is required for maintenance purposes undertaken in accordance with a maintenance management plan—Western Cape Within any critically endangered or endangered ecosystem listed in terms of section 52 of the NEMBA.
- Activity 14 of Listing Notice 3 (GNR 324 of 2017): The development of infrastructure or structures with a physical footprint of 10 square metres or more where such development occurs (a) within a watercourse … (c) if no development setback has been adopted, within 32 metres of a watercourse, measured from the edge of a watercourse: Western Cape (i)Outside urban areas (aa)A protected area identified in terms of [the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act] NEMPAA, excluding conservancies.
- Activity 23 of Listing Notice 3 (GNR 324 of 2017): The expansion of infrastructure or structures where the physical footprint is expanded by 10 square meters or more where such expansion occurs: (a) within a watercourse … (c) if no development setback has been adopted, within 32 metres of a watercourse Western Cape (i)Outside urban areas (aa)A protected area identified in terms of NEMPAA, excluding conservancies.
OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE
The 30-day commenting period for the draft BAR commences on Thursday, 07 November 2024, ending on Monday, 09 December 2024.
Should you have any queries or concerns, you can contact the Environmental Assessment Practitioner, Jeremy Rose or Kudakwashe Chimatira using the following options:
- By sending an email to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - By post to Infinity Environmental, Suite 17, Private Bag X11, Mowbray 7705
- By sending a WhatsApp message to 060 524 7676
- By completing the form on this page
Files can be accessed at the link below.