Cape Town resident Cayley Baker filmed and photographed luminous green liquid flowing from a storm drain into the ocean at Sea Point Promenade on Wednesday, near Saunders Rock Tidal Pool.

Baker, who reached out to Cape {town} Etc, submitted a formal complaint to the City.
In their response, the City explains that the liquid identified in the content is fluorescein, which is ‘commonly used to detect water leaks due to its bright and identifiable colour’.
Luminous liquid flowing into Sea Point ocean identified as harmless by the City. More to follow.
?️: @caybaybay / Instagram pic.twitter.com/ehtdHeKK5f— Cape {town} Etc (@CapeTownEtc) April 23, 2023
‘Fluorescein is also used to detect and understand rip currents in the ocean. It can also be used as a food dye and such is harmless.’
The statement continues: ‘We suspect that the discharge from the stormwater outlet is due to it being used in leak detection in the catchment’.
Separately, the location is marked with a ‘Pristine Pathways’ signboard, an initiative aimed at protecting the ocean as a last line of defense by placing nets to capture waste from entering the sea through drains. Baker’s footage shows that there are currently no visible nets in place at this location.

When Cape {town} Etc reached out to Councillor Zahid Badroodien, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, he said that ‘the team will investigate this matter now that the exact location has been received via the media enquiry. However, the weather will make it difficult to find the source of pollution due to the rain likely washing it away.’
Cape {town} Etc has followed up with an enquery regarding the placement of the catchment nets and is pending a response.
Residents are reminded to please report such incidents directly to the City using one of the following channels so that it can be investigated, including identifying the possible sources of pollution:
- Call: 0860 103 089
- Online: www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests
- Email: [email protected]
- WhatsApp: 060 018 1505
- SMS: 31373 (Maximum 160 characters)
Residents need to also please include the exact location and approximate time of the incident when it was identified.
Also read:
Sea Point promenade remains open after contentious debate earlier this year
Content: @caybaybay