City releases Annual Inland Water Quality Report
26 November 2024
The City of Cape Town has released its Annual Inland Water Quality Report for the period of 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2023, detailing the ongoing efforts and challenges to improving water quality across rivers, wetlands, vleis, and other inland water bodies. This report underscores the City’s dedication to be transparent and accountable on the condition of its watercourses.
In line with Cape Town's vision to evolve into a water-sensitive city by 2040, significant initiatives have been undertaken to improve the ecological health of its inland water systems. The report indicates notable progress in managing water quality and strengthening ecosystem resilience amid urban development and climate change pressures.
Key findings from the report:
Nutrient enrichment: High levels of phosphorus and nitrogen continue to impact many water bodies, leading to excessive plant growth that complicates management and causes eutrophic conditions, which make the water less suitable for use.
E. Coli levels: Sewage contamination remains a serious concern both to public health and the environment, particularly in catchments that experience a relatively high frequency of sewage spills (largely due to vandalism and system misuse) and, which receive run-off from informal settlements often contaminated by greywater and sewage.
Solid waste and illegal dumping: In many areas, solid waste is dumped illegally in rivers or next to rivers or stormwater systems in open spaces. This waste finds its way into rivers and the resultant pollutants can have negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems and cause maintenance issues in the stormwater system.
The City is actively implementing several initiatives to improve inland water quality:
The Mayor’s Priority Programme for Sanitation and Inland Water Quality aims to reduce pollution in Cape Town’s waterways while improving aquatic ecosystem health.
The Liveable Urban Waterways Programme focuses on rehabilitating waterways to foster biodiversity, recreational opportunities, and community involvement. Currently, five projects are under way with additional ones planned.
A total of R2 billion has been allocated for this 2024/2025 financial year alone for extensions and upgrades at wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) and R1 billion towards projects aimed at preventing sewer overflows, such as pump station upgrades, sewer cleaning and replacement programmes. (capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/Cape Town’s R5bn budget set for water and sanitation investments)
‘Improving inland water quality is everyone’s business. The City’s initiatives are a testament that we are committed to addressing water quality challenges and investing in our sewer infrastructure, but residents also have a part to play in preventing pollution.
‘We appeal to all communities to support these efforts by properly disposing of their waste, reporting sewage overflows and protecting our water resources.
‘All of us need to team up - the City, residents, businesses, industry and other spheres of government - so that together we can tackle inland water quality to benefit our community and environment,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.
Public access to water quality data
As part of its commitment to transparency, the City has made its inland water quality data publicly accessible:
To download the Annual Inland Water Quality Summary Report or the full technical report, visit: capetown.gov.za/Explore and enjoy/nature-and-outdoors/rivers-and-wetlands/cape-towns-rivers-and-wetlands
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
