Rooiwal Water Treatment Works

This water purification facility offers excellent birding for waders and water birds. It consists mainly of settling ponds and dams, but adjacent irrigated grassveld also offers good birding. Water purification works usually provide ideal habitats for water birds and the permanent dams and settling ponds ensure that water birds are present throughout the year. Ploughed fields and grasslands, adjacent to the purification plant, are regularly irrigated with treated sewage water from the works and provide excellent habitat for waders and lapwings.

BirdLife Northern Gauteng has been visiting Rooiwal since 1971 and has recorded 258 species. Birding is mostly water birds however on early summer mornings the lawns between the lower settling ponds often produce several Yellow Wagtails. Winter and summer regulars are Comb Duck, large flocks of White-faced Duck, Red-billed Teal, Little Grebe, Reed Cormorant, Black-headed and Grey Heron, Cattle Egret, Sacred Ibis, Yellow-billed Duck, African Black Duck, Southern Pochard, Red-knobbed Coot, Crowned- and Black-winged Lapwings, Black-winged Stilt, Cape and African Pied Wagtails, Squacco Heron and Brown-Throated Martin and White-throated Swallow. Long-crested Eagle and Black-breasted Snake-Eagle are regular visitors.

Birding is best during summer with a variety of waders as well as flocks of White-winged Terns and Barn Swallows. A large number of Amur Falcons may also be spotted on the power lines. Winter birding is also excellent as many duck species frequent these dams during the winter months.

Directions from OR Tambo Int'l Airport

Rooiwal Water Treatment Works are situated north of Pretoria. From OR Tambo International Airport, take the R21 north to Pretoria. After approximately 40 km on the R21, take the N1-North off-ramp to Pretoria/Polokwane. Remain on the N1-North and take the Pyramid / Wallmannsthal off-ramp and then turn to the left. Continue on this road for 6.5 km until you reach a T-junction with the R101. Turn right onto the R101 for 1.5 km. Turn right onto the Rooiwal / Mabopane road (this turn off is directly opposite the power station). Follow the road as it circles left, taking you onto a bridge, crossing the R101 and wetlands. Turn right at the t-junction. Continue past the entrance to Rooiwal Power Station until you reach the entrance gate to Rooiwal Water Treatment Works on the left. The site is approximately 80 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport.

GPS Coordinates

2528 CA (Pentad 2530_2810)

Contact number

A permit must be obtained in advance.

Contact Mari Wolmarans during office hours at Pretoria: +27 (0)72 190 3474 for a permit to be faxed.

There is no entrance fee but advanced booking is required.

Standy operator: +27 (0)82 320 1701