- Following
concerns about worsening sewage pollution in Cape Town’s bay, officials
assured the public that water quality near outfall zones meets global
guidelines, despite some residents reporting bacterial infections. - The
City is working to phase out marine outfalls in favor of long-term
solutions and is conducting a scoping study for future wastewater
treatment alternatives. - Regular
water quality monitoring is in place, and residents are encouraged to
report waterborne illnesses to help allocate health resources and monitor
pollution levels.
Following concerns raised inPeople’s Post about the worsening sewage pollution that is affecting the bay’s water quality the City of Cape Town has moved swiftly to clarity the matter.
Zahid Badroodien, Mayco member for water and sanitation, defended marine outfalls. “They are designed to meet global standards,” he said, but emphasised that the City is working to phase them out in favour of long-term alternatives.
READ: Growing sewage pollution in Hout Bay: Concerns over public
health, and lack of transparency
Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews assured the public that water quality near outfall zones meets required guidelines, with no exceedances at surface or nearshore sites. However, the concerns persist as some residents have reported bacterial infections after swimming, continuing to fuel public anxiety.
Francine Higham, Mayco member for community services and health, acknowledged the distress caused by the water quality issues and urged residents to report waterborne illnesses. “This helps the City allocate health resources effectively,” she explained.
Infrastructure issues also remain a significant concern, with frequent complaints about sewage and stormwater overflows.
Badroodien noted that the City is currently conducting a scoping study for future treatment alternatives while focusing on short-term maintenance efforts to extend the lifespan of existing infrastructure.
To address public concerns, Andrews highlighted the City’s regular water quality monitoring. He explained that data shows generally good water quality, but he pointed out that rainfall can negatively impact water quality due to the flushing of the Disa River catchment.
He strongly advised against swimming in the Disa River and within 150 metres of it, citing high pollution levels in those areas.
Furthermore, Andrews clarified that water quality data is available online for public access.
“Hout Bay sites 32 and 33 are listed, showing the results from 30 samples taken over the last 15 weeks,” he said.
He also emphasised that pollution levels tend to decline during dry months but increase following rainfall, which flushes pollutants from the Disa River catchment.
Higham urged residents experiencing symptoms like diarrhoea to consult healthcare providers for appropriate testing, stressing “such actions help the provincial government and the City carry out the necessary actions”.
