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Marine outfalls workshop held to discuss feasibility study and associated costs

The Water and Sanitation Directorate hosted an interactive workshop with the Section 79 Water and Sanitation Portfolio Committee as well as the Section 80 Mayoral Advisory Committee for Inland Water Quality on Wednesday, 31 January 2024. Key discussion points centred on the proposals of a feasibility study regarding the future of the three marine outfalls in Camps Bay, Green Point and Hout Bay.

The workshop follows the City's 60-day public participation period about the marine outfalls discharge permit applications, which was concluded in November last year. The City of Cape Town has three functioning marine outfalls: Camps Bay marine outfall (1977), Hout Bay marine outfall (1993) and Green Point marine outfall (1993). All three of these outfalls are operating in accordance with their original design, which is to dispose of screened effluent from the specific drainage areas. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/City%20hosts%20workshop%20to%20explore%20feasibility%20study%20of%20its%20Marine%20Outfalls%201.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /> </figure>'In 2022, the Green Point and Hout Bay marine outfalls both received Green Drop Awards. This was achieved through the combined efforts of ongoing investment in infrastructure and our teams who are determined to work towards introducing treatment at our marine outfalls, and is a testament to the City's commitment to improving good practices in our wastewater treatment systems holistically,' said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation. To achieve this, the City has appointed consultants to conduct a study to investigate the options which the City may consider in its continued efforts to introduce treatment at the marine outfalls. These consultants presented an overview of the scoping study commissioned by the City in 2023, which explored future alternatives and the way forward for the current outfalls, as well as a projection of associated costs per proposal. While a more in-depth report is being finalised, taking into consideration the comments received during the public participation process, preliminary insights revealed that treatment quality was rated as the biggest concern. Fifty-four percent of all comments received highlighted this as the main reason for objecting to the marine outfall discharge permits – a sentiment expressed equally across all three outfalls. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/City%20hosts%20workshop%20to%20explore%20feasibility%20study%20of%20its%20Marine%20Outfalls%202.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:949px;" /> </figure>A number of short, medium and long-term objectives were put forward in the study for the City's consideration. The options are subject to budget availability and the outcome of further feasibility studies still to be undertaken. Short-term option: <ol><li>Refurbishment of the existing marine outfalls infrastructure including pump stations, at an estimated capital expenditure cost of approximately R100 million. Medium-term options:</li></ol><ol><li>Extend the marine outfalls area to exclude the environmental protection area. Outfalls are currently located offshore, discharging beyond the intertidal zone, which could potentially be extended much further (for example, the Camps Bay outfall is currently 1 300m offshore, which can be extended 11,6km further offshore). </li><li>Develop and construct the first phase of a new wastewater treatment works (WWTW), adjacent or in the vicinity of the existing marine outfalls. Both options together have a projected cost of between R2 billion and R3 billion in capital expenditure. Long-term options: </li></ol><ol><li>Construct pump stations and pipelines to convey wastewater to existing WWTWs and undergo extensive construction to extend the conventional facilities. This option could be aligned to medium-term option 1 and is estimated at a cost of R6 billion to R8 billion of capital expenditure. </li><li>Construct phase 2 of a comprehensive, new WWTW adjacent or in the vicinity of the existing marine outfalls, at an estimated cost of R2 billion to R3 billion (provided that medium-term option 2 is completed). </li><li>Construct a comprehensive WWTW in phases, which is adjacent or in the vicinity of the existing marine outfalls comprising of primary treatment (approx. R3 billion), secondary treatment (approx. R2 billion) and tertiary treatment (approx. R1 billion). <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/City%20hosts%20workshop%20to%20explore%20feasibility%20study%20of%20its%20Marine%20Outfalls%204.jpg" alt="" style="width:933px;" /></figure>Way forward The City is in the process of finalising its appeals decision report for submission to the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Environment, which is due on 29 February 2024. In the interim, consideration will be given to implementing short-term solutions, focused on the replacement and refurbishment of existing treatment and outfall infrastructure. In addition, maintenance gaps can be addressed to extend the life span of infrastructure. It was also agreed that an Environmental Impact Assessment will need to be undertaken, as part of further consideration of the proposed options, along with continuous assessment of the budgetary implications. 'The City would further need to evaluate the viability of all of the options that were presented to improve the quality of the wastewater discharged and thereby lessen the environmental impact. If found feasible, funding will form part of the City's longer term Capital Infrastructure Programme. 'It is also commendable to see the commitment of the Section 80 Mayoral Advisory Committee on Inland Water Quality, to closely monitor the marine outfalls ensuring compliance with national legislation. This committee, as outlined in its terms of references, plays an important role in monitoring the functioning and compliance of the marine outfall and acts as our Permit Advisory Forum' said Councillor Badroodien. </li></ol>End

2024-02-07T22:00:00Z

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