The City of Cape Town has temporarily closed a portion of the Rietvlei waterbody as a precautionary measure after recent water quality tests revealed elevated E.coli levels. The closure, which came into effect last week, affects all recreational water sports — including boating, rowing, and windsurfing — in the section adjacent to the Bayside Canal inlet.
“The City conducts continuous water quality monitoring at multiple points within Rietvlei,” said Eddie Andrews, the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment. “Unfortunately, consecutive E.coli readings taken near the Bayside Canal have exceeded the threshold of 4 000 CFU/100ml for intermediate contact, prompting us to take immediate action to protect public health.”
Investigations into the sources of pollution are ongoing. However, compromised inflows from the Bayside Canal have been identified as a contributing factor to the current water quality concerns. The City has committed to intensifying water quality monitoring efforts in the coming weeks to track improvements and ensure the situation is addressed comprehensively.
“The affected section of Rietvlei will remain closed until the E.coli counts return to acceptable levels across the tested points,” Andrews confirmed. “We understand the frustration of the public and water sports enthusiasts, but public health and safety remain our top priority.”
While the waterbody remains partially closed, the rest of Rietvlei, including the terrestrial areas within the Table Bay Nature Reserve, will remain open to the public.
Water quality challenges
The closure adds to a history of water quality challenges at Rietvlei. TygerBurger previously reported on multiple pollution-related incidents, including a significant sewage spill in June 2020, which led to dangerously high E.coli levels and the temporary closure of the vlei. Environmentalists have pointed to factors such as sewage ingress into stormwater systems, infrastructure failures, and periods of load shedding as contributors to these recurring issues.
In response to ongoing concerns, the City launched “Otter”, a weed harvester, in May last year to combat the excessive growth of water weeds and mitigate nutrient build-up — a primary cause of blue-green algal blooms. The Otter is designed to remove invasive species like hyacinth and water lettuce in an environmentally responsible manner. However, Andrews emphasised that the delicate balance of the ecosystem must be preserved. “Certain algae are vital to the vlei’s natural processes, and we are mindful to maintain areas where weed harvesting is unnecessary,” he said.
The Milnerton Aquatic Club (MAC) has consistently voiced concerns about nutrient build-up in the waterbody, attributing it to repeated pollution events over the years. The City acknowledges these challenges and has reiterated its commitment to working towards long-term solutions that safeguard Rietvlei’s ecological health while supporting recreational use.
Lisa Muller, local kayaker, said: “It’s incredibly frustrating that we’re facing yet another closure due to pollution. Rietvlei is a gem for water sports enthusiasts, but these recurring problems show the City isn’t getting to the root of the issue fast enough.”
Anika Jacobs, Table View resident, said: “It’s disappointing but necessary. I’d rather the City close the area temporarily than risk people getting sick. But I hope this prompts a more serious commitment to fixing the pollution sources once and for all.”
The City has urged the public to stay informed via official communication channels regarding the reopening of the affected section and further updates on remediation efforts.
