Cape Town dredges Zeekoevlei for first time in 42 years

CAPE TOWN — Work began 30 June

Cape Town has launched its first major vlei-dredging project in 42 years to remove polluted sediment from Zeekoevlei, a key rehabilitation effort for this Cape Flats waterbody.

Specialized floating machinery now operates daily from 06:00 to 19:00, extracting nutrient-rich sediment from the lakebed beyond the shoreline. The project started on 30 June in Storm Bay, with Home Bay to follow later.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis called the operation a “critical milestone” in restoring urban waterways during a recent site visit. Work will continue for 26 months under a 15-person specialist team.

A 4.3 km pipeline transports sediment to Cape Flats Wastewater Treatment Works for drying. Crews have already removed 15,200 m³ of material from Storm Bay, progressing toward a 207,000 m³ target expected to take one year.

Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews noted drier months would speed up drying while improving working conditions.

Meanwhile, Zandvlei gained expanded environmental management with a second weed harvester named Spoonbill through public nomination. This doubles capacity to clear vegetation causing algal blooms and oxygen depletion.

Another new harvester operates at Rietvlei, collectively improving water quality and ecosystem resilience across Cape Town’s vleis.