An independent study has exposed concerning levels of contamination at several Cape Town beaches, despite the City’s assurances that these beaches adhere to all water safety standards, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The research, known as Project Blue, which was conducted in November and December, discovered troubling contamination along both the Table Bay and False Bay coasts.
The study was commissioned in response to growing public concern about the health risks posed by potential sewage pollution, particularly at popular beaches like Camps Bay, Clifton 4th Beach, Maidens Cove, Saunders Rock and Lagoon Beach – beaches that are promoted as prime destinations for both tourists and locals.
Concerning levels of bacterial contamination
Led by Dr Jo Barnes and Professor Leslie Petri, the study found high levels of E. coli and enterococci bacteria – both of which can pose serious health hazards.
On the Table Bay coast, 42% of water samples surpassed safety limits for these bacteria, while 38% of samples from the False Bay beaches showed similarly alarming results.
The Strand area was identified as one of the most polluted, with untreated waste from the Soet River flowing into the ocean. This portion of the coastline was labelled as ‘grossly polluted,’ with potentially severe consequences for both the environment and public health.
Polluted beaches pose risks to locals and tourists
Among the most concerning findings were the contamination levels at some of Cape Town’s most popular beaches.
On 6 December, Camps Bay Beach recorded a significant spike in enterococci levels, reaching 2 419 cfu/100ml, a dangerously high level. Clifton 4th Beach also experienced elevated bacterial contamination on two out of three sampling dates.
‘The outdated notion that the ocean can simply dilute large amounts of sewage without environmental damage has been debunked time and again,’ the report stated.
The researchers identified untreated sewage as a primary source of the contamination, caused by malfunctioning treatment plants, leaking sewer systems, and marine outfalls that discharge waste directly into the ocean.
City’s ‘world-class’ water quality claims under scrutiny
These findings contradict the City of Cape Town’s previous claims that its beaches provide ‘world-class’ water quality. The City had previously stated that all 146 water samples collected from top beaches passed safety standards.
However, Project Blue revealed widespread contamination at beaches like Camps Bay, Clifton, Saunders Rock and Lagoon Beach, where sewage pollution levels exceeded safety thresholds on certain days.
To address these challenges, the study urged the City to adopt more effective pollution control measures.
‘To combat sewage pollution, the City must implement advanced sewage treatment technologies, enforce stricter regulations, monitor water quality regularly, and collaborate with local communities,’ the report recommended.
Missing warning signs heighten health concerns
Another significant issue highlighted in the study was the absence of clear warning signs at affected beaches, leaving beachgoers unaware of the potential health risks associated with bacterial contamination.
Tevya Lotriet, senior sustainability manager at the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa), noted that some of the findings aligned with the City’s lab results, while others didn’t, likely due to differences in sampling dates.
According to Lotriet, Wessa has asked the City to further investigate the contamination, in line with Blue Flag protocols.
The way forward: Ensuring safer beaches for all
With Cape Town continuing to draw thousands of visitors annually, improving water quality and safeguarding public health must become a top priority.
The findings of Project Blue underline the urgency of independent assessments, greater transparency and immediate action to address the dangers posed by untreated sewage entering the ocean. As Cape Town strives to maintain its reputation as a top tourist destination, ensuring the safety and health of its beaches is vital for the future of both the local population and the tourism industry.
In an effort to implement redress measures, the City has committed itself to collect weekly water samples at 45 beaches along the coastline. The testing process has been outlined in the video above and the results are accordingly made available to the public through the City’s online platforms.
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Picture: Stephan Louis / Pexels
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