After nearly a year of intensive work, Cape Town has achieved a significant milestone in the environmental restoration of Zeekoevlei. The dredging operations, which began in June 2025, have now transitioned from Storm Bay to Home Bay. This marks the first dredging activity at Zeekoevlei in over four decades, with more than 207,000 cubic meters of sediment successfully removed from Storm Bay.
The next phase of this ambitious project focuses on Home Bay, where an additional 157,000 cubic meters of sediment will be extracted over the coming 10 months. The dredging initiative is part of a broader effort by city officials to enhance water quality and rejuvenate the vlei’s ecosystem. Over the years, accumulated sediment and excessive nutrients have contributed to the degradation of this vital natural resource.
Eddie Andrews highlighted that the project is integral to Cape Town’s long-term strategy for the restoration and protection of critical water bodies and natural ecosystems. The relocation of the dredging equipment involved a complex operation, requiring the installation of an additional two kilometers of pipeline and the movement of heavy mooring blocks across the water.
The extracted sediment is transported via a 6.3-kilometer slurry pipeline to dewatering ponds, where it undergoes drying and storage. Regular hydrographic surveys are conducted to monitor the progress of this initiative. The full restoration of Zeekoevlei is projected to be completed by early 2027.