- Cape Town’s Annual Inland Water Quality Report outlines efforts to manage pollution and improve ecosystem resilience amid urban and climate challenges.
- The report reveals ongoing issues with E. coli contamination in key water bodies like Rietvlei and high nutrient levels causing eutrophication.
- A R3 billion investment is set to improve wastewater infrastructure and tackle waterway pollution.
The City of Cape Town has released its Annual Inland Water Quality Report for the period 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2023, detailing ongoing efforts and challenges to improving water quality across rivers, wetlands, vleis and other inland water bodies.
This report underscores the City’s dedication to be transparent and accountable on the condition of its watercourses.
Environmentalists have looked forward to the outcomes of this report after numerous high E.coli levels at Rietvlei waterbody was reported this year.
The City said the report indicated notable progress in managing water quality and strengthening ecosystem resilience amid urban development and climate change pressures.
TygerBurger previously reported of a new contamination crisis with E. coli levels at Rietvlei, far above safety limits.
Two key sampling points recorded readings over 4 000 per 100 ml, far exceeding the safety threshold and raising urgent concerns for public health and the local ecosystem.
Louis van Wyk, reserve supervisor for the Table Bay Nature Reserve, said at the time intermediate recreational contact with water can be expected to carry an increasing risk of gastrointestinal illness as faecal coliform levels increase.
Key findings from report
- Nutrient enrichment: High levels of phosphorus and nitrogen continue to impact many water bodies, leading to excessive plant growth that complicates management and causes eutrophic conditions, which make the water less suitable for use.
- E. Coli levels: Sewage contamination remains a serious concern both to public health and the environment, particularly in catchments that experience a relatively high frequency of sewage spills (largely due to vandalism and system misuse) and, which receive run-off from informal settlements often contaminated by greywater and sewage.
- Solid waste and illegal dumping: In many areas solid waste is dumped illegally in rivers or next to rivers or stormwater systems in open spaces. This waste finds its way into rivers and the resultant pollutants can have negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems and cause maintenance issues in the stormwater system.
The City is actively implementing several initiatives to improve inland water quality:
- The Mayor’s Priority Programme for Sanitation and Inland Water Quality aims to reduce pollution in Cape Town’s waterways while improving aquatic ecosystem health.
- The Liveable Urban Waterways Programme focuses on rehabilitating waterways to foster biodiversity, recreational opportunities and community involvement. Currently, five projects are under way with additional ones planned.
- A total of R2 billion has been allocated for this 2024-’25 financial year alone for extensions and upgrades at wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) and R1 billion towards projects aimed at preventing sewer overflows, such as pump station upgrades, sewer cleaning and replacement programmes.
At the launch Zahid Badroodien, Mayco Member for Water and Sanitation, said improving inland water quality is everyone’s business. “The City’s initiatives are a testament that we are committed to addressing water quality challenges and investing in our sewer infrastructure, but residents also have a part to play in preventing pollution,” said Badroodien.
“We appeal to all communities to support these efforts by properly disposing of their waste, reporting sewage overflows and protecting our water resources.
“All of us need to team up – the City, residents, businesses, industry and other spheres of government – so that together we can tackle inland water quality to benefit our community and environment.”
Public access to water quality data
“As part of its commitment to transparency, the City has made its inland water quality data publicly accessible,” Badroodien said.
- Water Quality results can be seen on the Public Inland Water Quality Dashboard.
- Monthly reports and raw data can also be downloaded from the City’s Open Data Portal.
To download the Annual Inland Water Quality Summary Report or the full technical report, visit: capetown.gov.za/Explore and enjoy/nature-and-outdoors/rivers-and-wetlands/cape-towns-rivers-and-wetland
