Recent data from the City of Cape Town’s Inland Water Quality Report reveals a disturbing rise in raw sewage contamination across local rivers and waterways, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The report highlights that the percentage of river samples considered an ‘unacceptable’ risk to human health due to high E. coli levels has increased from 49% in 2019 to 59% in 2023.
Sewage contamination is a pressing issue, with public health and environmental risks exacerbated by frequent sewage spills, often linked to vandalism and infrastructure misuse. The report identifies informal settlements, which frequently contribute contaminated runoff, as a major factor in the worsening pollution levels.
The increase in contamination is also attributed to power outages – loadshedding – which affect sewage pump stations and wastewater treatment facilities.
In addition, rapidly growing informal communities, coupled with poorly maintained infrastructure, have contributed to the rise in pollution. Key sources of contamination include sewage blockages, overflows, illegal sewer connections and stormwater runoff.
Cape Town operates 25 wastewater treatment plants, with 17 discharging treated effluent into inland water systems, accounting for 95% of the city’s sewage. However, the report found that only five plants consistently meet E. coli standards set by the Department of Water and Sanitation, while others have effluent that exceeds safety limits by large margins.
Several major waterways are affected, including the Diep River estuary, Milnerton Lagoon, and the Eerste River estuary, with contamination posing significant health risks for downstream users.
In response, the City has allocated R2 billion for upgrading and extending wastewater treatment plants in the 2024/2025 financial year.
Additionally, R1 billion will be dedicated to improving pump stations, sewer cleaning and preventing sewer overflows. Zahid Badroodien, the City’s Mayco member for Water and Sanitation, emphasised the importance of community involvement, urging residents to dispose of waste responsibly and report sewer overflows.
However, concerns loom over future budget cuts that may hinder the City’s ability to meet the growing demand for improved sewage infrastructure and waste management services, especially in informal settlements.
Experts such as Professor Kevin Winter from the University of Cape Town argue that effective monitoring and intervention are crucial, noting the city’s poor track record in improving wastewater treatment standards. The report’s findings indicate that Cape Town’s efforts to achieve water quality targets by 2040 remain far from fruition.
Environmental advocates are also worried about the long-term health and ecological impacts. Patrick Dowling of Wessa stressed the link between inland and coastal water pollution, with raw sewage and waste from multiple sectors contributing to the problem. Emeritus Professor Leslie Petrik from the University of the Western Cape pointed out that the city’s treatment plants are overwhelmed, as they were designed for much smaller populations.
The increasing levels of E. coli in Cape Town’s waterways pose serious health risks, including gastrointestinal illnesses, and have devastating effects on local ecosystems, affecting fish and bird populations.
As Cape Town continues to grow, managing water quality will require careful planning and significant investment. The City must address both infrastructure limitations and rapid population growth to prevent further degradation of its waterways.
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Picture: Zahid Badroodien / Facebook
