The Muizenberg public pool now has its own freshwater source and is officially off the water grid, thanks to newly-implemented mechanisms by the City of Cape Town.
The water source was discovered while the City was working to obtain and supply an alternative source for the Muizenberg pool as part of its water conservation efforts in preparation for the hot months.
“‘Initially, the plan was to draw salt water as an alternative water source for the Muizenberg pool, but drilling for a well point resulted in finding good-quality fresh water instead, which will also be used for irrigation,” said The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security and Social Services, JP Smith.
The well serves as a collection point for residents that operates independently, and the water will be reused to top up other operational swimming pools. The drilling was part of a project to drill several well points and connect them to water tanks and cost just over R400 000.
The Recreation and Parks Department, which is behind the project, has been looking for ways to reduce the dependency on potable water in Cape Town and to keep its swimming pools open.
“More than 1,5 million people use the City’s public swimming pools annually and, with water conservation still a priority, the Recreation and Parks Department has put plans in place to open 17 of the 35 municipal swimming pools during the peak summer season,” said Smith.
As well as a new water supply, the Muizenberg has also received new equipment including a spinal board with head blocks, a shade cover for lifeguards and four ‘wrap-around lifesaving devices’.
Other water-saving measures implemented at operational public pools include the use of circulation tanks that filter and ‘recycle’ water.
“All our operational swimming pools have been fitted with two 10 000-litre plastic tanks that are used to backwash and filter water that is circulated back into the swimming pool for re-use. By doing this, the City is saving a substantial amount of water that would have been lost,” said Smith.
The City chose the public pools to open based on accessibility of the pools’ facilities, their proximity to transportation routes and to ensure each area has an allocated pool.
Lifeguards will not only be placed at the public pools but at several tidal pools as well, such as Camps Bay, Maiden’s Cove, Mobwabisi, Sparks Bay, Harmony Park, Strandfontein, and St James.
Water restrictions implemented at the City’s swimming pools
1. Showers at swimming pools and beaches are off limits to preserve water
2. Load shedding impacts pool operations and water quality. If the water quality is compromised, patrons will be asked to leave the water
3. Visitors are advised to wear the proper swimming attire to maintain the quality of water
4. Waterless hand sanitizers will be provided at most public washrooms.
Click here for public pool operational times.
Picture: The City of Cape Town/ Muizenberg pool
