Daspoort – Still performing after a century

Abstract

Wastewater treatment South Africa’s administrative capital, the City of Pretoria was founded in 1855. The town came to prominence in 1852 when it was sited as the capital of the former Transvaal Republic, succeeding Potchefstroom in that role. Almost immediately it became a centre of government, and retained that function through to 1910 when it was formally declared the administrative capital of the Union of South Africa. By 1904, the population of Pretoria had reached nearly 40 000. At this time, town engineer HD Babcock submitted the first plans for a sewerage system to the Town Council. His plans included a watercare works. His proposals were not fully accepted. The Daspoort Wastewater Treatment Works was eventually built between 1913 and 1920 to the design of Town Engineer F Walton Jameson (nicknamed ‘Jacaranda Jim’ for his introduction of the trees to Pretoria). Constructed on the southern banks of the Apies River, the plant is situated adjacent to the central business district, and today is one of ten sewage treatment plants serving the residents of Pretoria.

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