While the public participation deadline for three marine outfall location sites in the city approaches, non-profit company (NPC) RethinkTheStink reports that independent seawater testing revealed high levels of bacterial contamination in Green Point.
Also read: City responds to ActionSA’s concern over its permit to pump sewage into the oceans
Hout Bay, Green Point, and Camps Bay all have marine outfalls.
According to IOL, RethinkTheStink said on 30 October that results from independent seawater testing revealed elevated levels of bacterial contamination in Green Point seawater, with Enterococci results of 6 870 cfu/100ml (should be 100).
‘These levels represent a health risk to water users (divers, surfers, canoeists, open water swimmers, etc.), even more so when the sewage plume moves closer to the shore.’
Despite perfect weather and clean water elsewhere, the sewage plume was clearly visible on the surface, complete with visible particulate matter.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Explore Hout Bay with a two-hour kayaking experience worth R450 for only R299. Get it here.
‘The Green Point Marine Outfall pumps 50 million litres per day of raw sewage into the ocean, with similar discharges of raw sewage in Camps Bay (750m from Maiden’s Cove shore) and Hout Bay, these are directly into and affecting Marine Protected Areas.’
Because sewage is not sufficiently treated to remove these chemicals, marine life such as seaweed, sea urchins, fish, and even penguins in the Cape Town area contain traces of a variety of pharmaceuticals ranging from antibiotics to anti-inflammatories and painkillers.
‘Many of these chemicals are known to be toxic, affecting growth and reproduction,’ RethinkTheStink said.
A public information session on the impact of Cape Town’s marine outfall pipelines on the environment and public health is scheduled for today at Camps Bay High School.
The meeting comes just days after ActionSA filed criminal charges against the City for continuing to operate the marine outfall sites.
Experts on the panel will include Dr Jo Barnes, an epidemiologist and senior lecturer at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr Cleeve Robertson, CEO of the NSRI; Professor Leslie Petrik, professor of chemistry at UWC; Caroline Marx, director of RethinkTheStink; and Jean Tresfon, a marine conservation photographer.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city at half the price? Let these great offers inspire you and fuel your imagination! Get them here.
Also read:
Cape Town ordered to hold public hearings on sewage being pumped into the sea
Picture: E. Diop / Unsplash