CAPE TOWN – In a bold move to clean up Cape Town’s rivers before plastic reaches the sea, the City has installed 20 waste interceptors — with hotspots like Bayside Canal and Milnerton Lagoon now equipped to stop pollution in its tracks.
These installations form part of the 2024-’25 Mayoral Priority Programme, which aims to dramatically reduce pollution in Cape Town’s inland water systems before it reaches larger bodies such as Rietvlei and ultimately the ocean.
Notably, waste interceptors have been deployed at the Bayside Canal in Table View and along key points in Milnerton, including the Sati River and the area near the Milnerton Riding Club — all known pathways feeding into Rietvlei and the Milnerton Lagoon, where pollution has been a growing concern.
“These waste interceptors are a game changer in the constant interventions driven by the City to reduce water pollution in rivers and preserve our natural ecosystems,” says Zahid Badroodien, Mayco member for water and sanitation.
A simple but powerful tool
Waste interceptors are cost-effective and efficient systems that float on water and capture litter and debris before it moves downstream into larger waterbodies. Each unit is tailored to accommodate the waste load specific to its location and is designed to trap materials such as plastic packaging, polystyrene, and other floating rubbish — the most common pollutants found in Cape Town’s rivers and canals.
With interceptors now in place at the Bayside Canal and Milnerton’s tributaries, the City anticipates a measurable reduction in solid waste reaching the sensitive Rietvlei wetland system and Milnerton Lagoon, which are both ecological hotspots and important recreational spaces for residents and visitors alike.
Broader rollout across the city
Beyond Table View and Milnerton, the 20 interceptors have been strategically installed in all four regions of the city:
- Eastern region: Includes Soet River, Klein Canal, and Sir Lowry’s Pass River.
- Northern region: Locations include the Bonteheuwel Canal, Spoordam Pond, and Amandel Dam.
- Central region: One at the Bayside Canal in Table View, one at the Sati River in Sati Road, Milnerton, one at the Milnerton Riding Club and one at the Jakkalsvlei Canal, Langa.
- Southern region: Interceptors have been placed in the Big Lotus and Bokmanspruit Rivers, among others.
Maintenance and community involvement
Each interceptor is maintained regularly — at least twice weekly and around rainfall events — to ensure peak effectiveness. The City is urging residents to help protect these systems from vandalism and report any suspicious activity via 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.
Linda Steyn, Table View resident, said: “It’s great to see the City investing in practical solutions like these. The Bayside Canal has been an eyesore for years, and knowing that this will help protect Rietvlei is very reassuring.”
Thabo Mokoena, Milnerton resident, said: “This is long overdue. The pollution in the lagoon has been terrible, and it’s been frustrating for those of us who care about the environment. I hope residents will also take responsibility and stop littering in the first place.”
Ashleigh Naidoo, environmental science student, said: “Intercepting waste before it reaches the wetlands and ocean is smart and efficient. It’s a win for both biodiversity and people. I’d love to see data on how much plastic is actually being caught over time.”
Badroodien emphasised: “We remain committed to improving water quality in our rivers and waterways. The installation of these waste interceptors will significantly enhance our ability to extract solid waste from the system, ensuring long-term protection of our ecosystems.”
ReThinkTheStink welcomed the interceptors in a post on Facebook last week. “Good to see progress,” wrote Caroline Marx.
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