Cape Town has achieved a significant milestone in its environmental restoration efforts at Zeekoevlei, as dredging operations advance from Storm Bay to Home Bay. This marks the first such operation in the area in 42 years. Since its commencement in June 2025, the project has successfully removed over 207,000 cubic meters of sediment from Storm Bay.
The forthcoming phase of this ambitious restoration initiative will target Home Bay, where the removal of an additional 157,000 cubic meters of sediment is planned over the next 10 months. This step is crucial in the ongoing efforts to enhance water quality and revitalize the vlei’s ecosystem, which has suffered from decades of sediment accumulation and nutrient overload, leading to environmental degradation.
City officials have emphasized the project’s role in a larger strategy to restore and safeguard essential water bodies and natural ecosystems. Eddie Andrews highlighted the city’s dedication to these long-term environmental goals. The relocation of dredging equipment, a complex process involving the installation of an extra two kilometers of pipeline and the movement of heavy mooring blocks across the water, signifies a key development in the project.
Removed sediment is transported via a 6.3-kilometer slurry pipeline to dewatering ponds, where it undergoes drying and storage. Progress of the dredging work is meticulously tracked through regular hydrographic surveys, ensuring that the project remains on course. The comprehensive restoration efforts at Zeekoevlei are anticipated to reach completion by early 2027, according to the City of Cape Town.