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Coastal water quality

Coastal water quality

We conduct weekly and bi-weekly testing at 107 sites along our Atlantic and False Bay coastlines to determine the water quality at recreational beaches, tidal pools, and coastal monitoring points. Access the raw results and FAQs on coastal water quality below.

Water quality results across the coastline

As of 18 November 2024, the City initiated a new coastal water quality sampling regime. Key recreational nodes are now sampled weekly, while all other sites are still sampled twice a month or in a few cases, monthly. The raw data is presented in the water quality report below.

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WATER QUALITY Results

Download the latest water quality review table.

Download PDF

Coastal Summer Dashboard

Our Summer Dashboard provides the raw enterococci counts for the 30 most popular beaches along our coastline. The water quality is calculated by using the 10 most recent results and updated weekly as results from ongoing testing become available.

Download the latest dashboard to keep track of the water quality patterns at your favourite beach nodes during the festive season.

The dashboard includes:

  • The results for the last 10 samples taken at these nodes. This provides the public with a view of the water quality over the past two-and-a-half months at these recreational nodes
  • The raw data (number) indicates the number of enterococci bacteria measured per 100 ml, as is the standard way of reporting
  • An individual count of <240 (less than 240) is regarded as acceptable for recreational use.
  • As new results come in the oldest result will be removed and the latest added.

Please note

Water quality data is not real time data. It is used to calculate risk, as we only get the results about four days after the sample has been taken. However, we do know that after rainfall events and due to the flushing of the catchments, the water quality usually declines for short periods. This is a common phenomenon in urban areas around the world.

Coastal water quality research projects

Intensive high frequency water sampling has been undertaken at Camps Bay, Green Point, Hout Bay and Strand beach. 

Access the research summary reports:

The reports detail:

  • The outcome of 371 sampling tests over a period of 12 months from four locations at Camps Bay beach – the results show consistently high water quality at this beach throughout the year
  • The outcome of daily sampling at the Green Point pump station from August 2024 to November 2024 – the results are ‘good’, and confirm there is no wastewater discharge from the old outfall pipe
  • The outcome of weekly sampling between October 2023 and November 2024 and daily sampling (Monday to Friday) from 23 September 2024 to 22 November 2024 at the Strand swimming area and Strand surfing area, colloquially referred to as ‘Pipe’. The results for both locations indicate these nodes meet the standards for recreational use during summer when no rainfall events have occurred.
  • Hout Bay beach, which shows the impact of the Disa River on water quality in winter. However, in summer, the water quality at the two swimming areas - namely Chapman’s Peak and Mariners Wharf - meets the standard for recreational use

Why is water quality assessed?

Water quality is assessed to keep the City, its residents and its visitors informed about the state of our coastal environment. We apply the National Water Quality Guidelines at all of our sampling points, to determine a water quality “category” for that area.

Our annual Know Your Coast report provides reasons and analysis for any sites where the water quality category is ‘poor’. We make every effort to update the category for each site; and share the most recent results with you twice a month.

How is water quality assessed?

We monitor indicator bacteria in seawater collected at 90 sites between Silwerstroomstrand on the Atlantic coast and Kogel Bay on the eastern shore of False Bay, over a distance of 307 km. Water samples are collected in the surf zone and in tidal swimming pools, fortnightly.

The samples are analysed by our Scientific Services unit and categorised as excellent, good, sufficient, or poor, based on a 12-month,365-day rolling period. Results are determined using a complex statistical calculation method, as set by the National Guidelines. For most healthy people, water quality that meets acceptable standards (‘sufficient’ or above) will pose little risk to their health.

The City prepares a report on water quality for the period 1 December - 30 November annually. The latest report is available below:

Know Your Coast Reports

The enterococci results from Blue Flag, the Coastal Management research programme and Scientific Services recreational and coastal monitoring points for 2024 are available in the water quality review table below. All new data, following implementation of the updated coastal water quality sampling regime with updated sample sites and monitoring frequency, are available in the new review table at the top of the page.

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water quality REVIEW

Download the 2024 water quality review table.

Download PDF

Some key points

  • Due to the Covid-19 lockdown, there was a break in coastal water sampling between 23 March and 30 June 2020.
  • Sampling results in July and August 2020 will reflect higher bacterial counts This is because of high rainfall during this period, which washed urban pollution into the shoreline.
  • With the break in sampling and the impact of rainfall in July and August 2020, the current category outcomes will be negatively impacted.
  • Stormwater and river discharges remain the biggest impact on near-shore water quality.

The following areas are considered to have chronic coastal water quality problems:

  • Central False Bay;
  • Lagoon Beach (Milnerton);
  • Macassar to Gordon’s Bay; and
  • Three Anchor Bay (Sea Point).

We are determined to improve water quality in these areas and will implement interventions to achieve this, especially along the False Bay coastline.

Tips for a safer beach experience

  • Avoid swimming for 12 to 24 hours after moderate to heavy rainfall. Rainfall increases the possibility of poor water quality, as it washes pollution from land and overflowing sewers into the ocean. This advice applies particularly to beaches where the water quality is rated “sufficient” or “poor”.
  • Avoid swimming near the mouths of estuaries and sheltered lagoons. The water quality might be of a poorer quality.
  • Avoid swimming in the sea or paddling in rock pools close to stormwater outlets.

What you can do to boost and maintain coastal water quality

We are committed to protecting Cape Town’s coastal resources, however, we simply do not have the resources to control all sources of pollution. Here are some actions you can take at the beach, at home and at work to help improve coastal water quality.

  • Do not flush nappies, female hygiene products, ear buds and cigarette butts down the toilet. This can lead to sewer blockages, which causes overflows into the stormwater drainage system, and impacts on coastal water quality.
  • Do not leave food and other waste on the beach. Food waste can attract birds and rats, which are sources of faecal bacteria and pathogens.
  • Do not litter. Rain can wash litter into stormwater systems, which eventually ends up in our rivers, estuaries or the sea. Plastic is a major pollutant of coastal waters.
  • Do not throw anything into stormwater drains, including pet waste, garden clippings, street sweepings and other waste. Stormwater eventually flows into rivers, estuaries or the sea, transferring these items and the associated contaminants into the water.
  • Take a bag with you for collecting plastic and other rubbish when you walk on the beach. Even if you collect and properly dispose of only a few items of waste, every bit helps.
  • Only walk your dog on dog-friendly beaches, and remember to pick-up and dispose of your dog’s waste properly - do not bury it in the sand. Dog waste contains high numbers of bacteria and pathogens, which affect water quality.
  • Restaurants and households should dispose of fat, oil and grease properly. These substances should never be poured down the drain (fat hardens in water). This can lead to blocked sewers and overflows into the stormwater drainage system, affecting coastal water quality.
  • Keep the road verge near your home or business property clean. This will prevent foreign matter from blocking the stormwater system or ending up on the coast.
  • Stormwater is a major factor affecting coastal water quality in cities. At your home and business property, make sure you direct the rainwater runoff from paved and tarred surfaces and roofs onto vegetated areas wherever possible.
  • Use pavers with gaps on driveways. This will reduce the amount of runoff entering the stormwater system and retain contaminants in the runoff.
  • Report any pollution incidents you might come across using our service request tool.

Marine outfalls

Marine outfalls are widely used in coastal cities across the world to dispose of wastewater generated by humans. The outfalls discharge wastewater into the sea with minimal loss or impact on the environment as long as the wastewater does not exceed the assimilative capacity of the ocean. 

Read the Marine Outfalls FAQs for more information.

Once disposal of wastewater exceeds the assimilative capacity of the marine environment, environmental degradation and loss quickly follows. In the case of offshore marine outfalls, the intention - through engineering design - is to release wastewater in a very large, open and powerful ocean system where dispersion and assimilation of wastewater is rapid. 

The resources below reflect six years of research undertaken by external independent experts in the field of marine science and pollution. The reports collectively make up the Marine Outfall Monitoring Report, which presents findings for all three of the City’s marine outfalls, namely: Camps Bay, Green Point and Hout Bay.

Reports

Videos

Learn more about Cape Town’s coastline, beaches and coastal amenities:

Contact our Environmental Management Department for more information.

Document downloads

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