The Belmont Wastewater Treatment Works (BWWTW) was first built in 1937 and was upgraded to a 3.4 Ml/d capacity in 1977. The plant was upgraded for a third time to the current capacity of 5.4 Ml/d at an unknown date and has long struggled to keep up with the growing demands of Makhanda. With current inflows reaching up to 9 Ml/day in dry weather and 11–12 Ml/day in wet weather, the plant had deteriorated to the point of becoming a “flow-through” system with little to no effective treatment, which placed both the community and the surrounding environment at risk.

Figure 1. Collapsed Biofilter
Figure 1. Collapsed Biofilter
Figure 2. Primary Settling Tank, (PST) emptied for inspection
Figure 2. Primary Settling Tank, (PST) emptied for inspection
Figure 3. Settling tanks before refurbishment
Figure 3. Settling tanks before refurbishment

Recognising the urgency, Makana Municipality secured R40.1m funding from the Department of Water and Sanitation under the Water and Sanitation Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) to refurbish the plant. MBB Consulting Services was appointed as the Engineer in 2022.

These upgrades have transformed BWWTW from a defunct facility into a partially functional plant capable of providing improved, though not yet fully compliant, wastewater treatment.

The refurbishment brings several immediate and long-term benefits:

  1. Improved Effluent Quality – While the plant still operates below required standards due to capacity limitations, treatment quality has significantly improved compared to the pre-refurbishment “flow-through” condition.
  2. Health Protection – Cleaner effluent reduces risks of waterborne diseases and contamination of local streams.
  3. Environmental Safeguards – Upgraded sludge handling and disinfection facilities help protect groundwater and ecosystems from pollution.
  4. Job Creation – Local labourers were engaged in construction, supporting community economic development.

The refurbishment of Belmont Wastewater Treatment Works marks an important milestone for Makhanda. While not a permanent solution, the upgrades have stabilised a critical piece of infrastructure and prepared it for the larger expansion needed to meet current and future wastewater demands.

Figure 4. Refurbished sludge drying beds
Figure 4. Refurbished sludge drying beds
Figure 5. Upgraded Biofilters with new distributor arms
Figure 5. Upgraded Biofilters with new distributor arms
Figure 6. Upgraded Biofilters
Figure 6. Upgraded Biofilters
Figure 7. Distribution chamber with new pumps
Figure 7. Distribution chamber with new pumps
Figure 8. New Chlorine dosing room
Figure 8. New Chlorine dosing room
Figure 9. Upgraded MCC Room
Figure 9. Upgraded MCC Room
Figure 10. Newly installed Inflow meter
Figure 10. Newly installed Inflow meter
Figure 11. New Chlorine dosing room
Figure 11. New Chlrorine dosing room