- Due to elevated levels of Microcystin from a blue-green algae bloom, the City of Cape Town has closed Zeekoevlei for recreational use, including fishing.
- Local innovator Christopher Swart has developed a Biorem Brick to help improve water quality in polluted water bodies, including Zeekoevlei.
- The technology, which uses beneficial microbes to clean water, has been recognized internationally for its effectiveness.
Water quality concerns have prompted the City of Cape Town to close the Zeekoevlei waterbody, with a warning to refrain from using the vlei for any recreational activities, including fishing.
In a statement last week, the City explained its decision to temporarily close the waterbody.
“The latest consecutive test results showed elevated levels of Microcystin due to a blue-green algae bloom of Microcystis,” the statement read. “The City has concluded that Zeekoevlei should be closed for recreational use, including fishing given an elevated risk to human health. The public is also cautioned to avoid consuming fish caught at Zeekoevlei.”
The warning urges residents to avoid any contact with the Zeekoevlei waterbody during this time.
“All contact with the water should be avoided until the levels are within national recreational water use guidelines,” the statement continued.
“Visitors should also ensure that their pets do not access the water under any circumstances.”
Meanwhile, a local Retreat resident made it to the top-10 of the GreenPitch 2024 Challenge for his uniquely South African Innovation – with a tool that can be used for improving water quality in water bodies and a potential solution for this, they believe.
The innovative Biorem Brick was announced as a finalist, from 150 entries.
It was cited as an innovative, cost effective, easy to apply and versatile “brick” system for the release of beneficial microbes into polluted water bodies, streams, canals, and rivers as part of a bioremediation and bio-augmentation process.
Environmental scientist Christopher Swart explained how the Biorem Bricks work in improving water quality at waterbodies such as Klein Princess Vlei and Zeekoevlei.
“The situation with water pollution and algae growth in places like Klein Princess Vlei is deteriorating dramatically,” he pointed out.
“We, a local Small, Medium or Micro Enterprise (SMME) can immediately start improving the quality of the water with dramatic changes within six months. And we can do the same to many other water bodies with the same problems.”
The specific technology developed is reportedly unique in the world of Bio-remediation.
“We are currently working with the University of Johannesburg to develop it even further.”
Swart explained the significance of the project.
“We identify natural organisms and microbes that naturally occur, then we cultivate them and introduce it to places like Princess Vlei to help microbes to do their job,” he added.
“I looked at what would be the most efficient way to introduce microbes to the water and initially started doing different trials with different tools.
I came across using a brick format where we cultivate the beneficial microbes within this brick and then place this brick in a canal where it can grow and break down organic pollutants.”
According to Swart, in places like Poland and Germany specifically, the water quality would completely change within a period of three months.
“This specific bioremediation, introducing microbes with bricks, was recognised as unique.”
