Cape Town - Residents of the Atlantic Seaboard have welcomed the City's proposal of a wastewater treatment works (WWTW) and have allocated three possible sites.
They said the evolution of a new treatment plant would open the doors for reducing pollution and waterborne diseases, and improving tourism due to cleaner shores, and would boost construction investment.
This week, the Sea Point, Fresnaye and Bantry Bay Ratepayers Association (SFB) said the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant in Green Point would serve as a crucial alternative to the area following the existing marine outfalls.
Earlier, the City's Water and Sanitation Directorate said they were on board in finding solutions in treating the effluent discharged from the marine outfalls at Green Point, Camps Bay and Hout Bay with a potentially new WWTW at a cost of R6 billion.
They previously explained that 95% of Cape Town's wastewater is discharged from WWTWs, compared to 5% from the three outfalls.
The City submitted its final report on their 60-day public participation to the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Environment on the marine outfalls permit earlier this year – following months of residents calling for an alternative solution, as they viewed it as untreated sewage being pumped into the environment, which caused health risks. Nearly 2 000 comments were received.
Jono Duguid of the SFB Ratepayers Association told Weekend Argus they had advocated for sustainable and environmentally-friendly waste water management practices.
“According to the City, improving the marine outfalls efficiency in the short-term, a recent scoping study identified wastewater treatment plants as a potentially viable, though costly, long-term option. This statement underscores the City's commitment to exploring sustainable solutions despite the financial implications,” he said.
“While it is still early days, the SFB will be keeping an eye on the plans, advocating for a sustainable solution and holding the City to account to the best of our resources.
“The marine outfall system currently in place has been a point of contention, with critics highlighting the risks associated with discharging untreated or minimally treated wastewater into the ocean.
“While the City maintains that the outfall system projects what it deems a safe amount of excrement from the sewerage system into the ocean, the SFB and other environmental advocates believe that any discharge of untreated or polluted water into the ocean is unacceptable.”
The SFB said by implementing a wastewater treatment plant, it could offer numerous environmental benefits, such as reducing the volume of untreated wastewater entering the ocean and mitigating pollution levels.
“This reduction is critical for protecting marine ecosystems, which are highly sensitive to changes in water quality,” they said.
“Pollutants can harm marine life, disrupt food chains, and degrade habitats, leading to broader ecological consequences.
“A modern wastewater treatment facility would enable the City to reclaim and reuse water for various purposes, such as irrigation and industrial processes.
“This recycling capability is particularly valuable in a region like Cape Town, which frequently faces water scarcity issues.
“Reducing ocean pollution decreases the risk of water borne diseases, which can affect both marine organisms and humans.
“Cleaner coastal waters would promote recreational activities, boost tourism, and improve the overall quality of life for residents.
“While the construction and maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant represent a significant financial investment, the long-term benefits could outweigh the initial costs.
“Cleaner oceans and healthier marine environments can enhance the local economy by attracting tourists, supporting fisheries, and fostering a positive reputation for Cape Town as a city committed to sustainability.”
Zahid Badroodien, Mayco member for Water and Sanitation, added the City operates three marine outfalls which are located offshore, discharging beyond the intertidal zone at Hout Bay, Green Point and Camps Bay.
He said the following sites were proposed:
Green Point: The identified area is at the sport fields close to the Green Point Outfall Pump Station as no space is available directly adjacent to the pump station.
Camps Bay: Space is available directly adjacent to Camps Bay Outfall Pump Station.
Hout Bay: There is no viable space available directly adjacent to Hout Bay Outfall Pump Station, but the identified area is in close proximity to the pump station.
He added he was grateful to the ratepayers input and their support and that R6 billion would be pumped into the WWTW.
“We emphasise that we remain committed to identifying the most viable options available to us as proposed in our Marine Outfall Scoping Study (available online), and remind residents that all information in this document remains conceptual and must still undergo significant public participation processes,” he explained in response to the Weekend Argus.
“A comprehensive scoping study, initiated in 2023, sets out the options, including potential new Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) in these areas, estimated at a cost of R6 billion, excluding annual increases in construction related costs.”
Ward Councillor, Nicola Jowell was also approached for comment but said Badroodien was best suited for the issue.