After high levels of E. coli were found in Rietvlei, the City of Cape Town says it is still engaging with relevant departments to trace and stop the cause and source of the contamination.
TygerBurger reported last week (“E.coli levels soar”, 18 September) of 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 in an email that intermediate recreational contact with water can be expected to carry an increasing risk of gastrointestinal illness as faecal coliform levels increase.
Mayco member for water and sanitation Zahid Badroodien told TygerBurger the City’s Scientific Services branch conducted water sampling on 10 September, which revealed E. coli levels exceeding the threshold level of 4 000 per 100 ml at two of the sampling points in Rietvlei.
“Resampling was then done on 12 September,” he said.
“The latest sampling run revealed E. coli values below the threshold for intermediate recreational use, and therefore no waterbody closure is required as per the System and Procedure for partial closing, closing and reopening the City’s recreational vleis. The City is currently conducting further sampling and will communicate these results with stakeholders.”
Caution
The City’s Environment Management Department has urged water users to exercise caution when using Rietvlei’s recreational waterbody, especially in the vicinity of the Bayside canal outlet, as recreational contact with water can be expected to carry an increasing risk of gastrointestinal illness as faecal coliform levels increase.
The City’s Water and Sanitation and Environmental Management teams are engaging with relevant departments to trace and stop the cause/source of the contamination.
TygerBurger previously reported (“Rietvlei woes continue: Water sport athletes demand City fix ‘mess’,” 1 March 2023) of several past pollution spills at Rietvlei waterbody.
The waterbody had to be closed numerous times due to a highly toxic blue-green algal bloom found in the water. In June 2020 a large spill occurred – high levels of E. coli were recorded resulting in the closure of the vlei to all water activities.
This was due to the ingress of sewage water into the stormwater system, leaks, failed equipment, load shedding and a total lack of the City’s engagement and accountability, environmentalists said at the time. However, the City has since launched “Otter”, the new weed harvester at Rietvlei waterbody in May, to help curb green algal bloom in the water.
