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Second Permit Advisory Forum meeting held on marine outfalls

The City remains committed to environmental stewardship and public health through the introduction of a comprehensive monitoring and reporting framework for marine outfalls. This initiative is part of the Permit Advisory Forum (PAF) requirements, established in collaboration with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).The PAF, now integrated into the Section 80 Committee, brings together stakeholders to streamline the oversight and management of the three marine outfalls.The City's Water and Sanitation Directorate presented the latest data, demonstrating the level of compliance at all three marine outfalls against the previous DWS licence and DFFE permit (currently in review by the DFFE). <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Second%20PAF%20meeting.jpeg" alt="" style="width:949px;" /></figure>Key highlights of presentations at the PAF held on Friday, 2 August:1. Effluent quantity and quality<ul><li>The City reported on the quantity and quality of effluent discharged from the Green Point, Camps Bay and Hout Bay wastewater treatment works. Where possible going forward, the quarterly reports will be supplemented with detailed flow measurements to demonstrate compliance with permit limits, for different effluent parameters.</li></ul>2. Monitoring and reporting<ul><li>An independent auditor will conduct rigorous testing at all marine outfalls over the next 12 months. This will include implementation of flow loggers to establish flow-weighted averages, testing compliance with design specifications and daily volume flows (especially during rainfall events).</li><li>These enhanced reporting mechanisms will ensure any deviations from permit specifications are promptly addressed and reported to the DFFE.</li></ul>3. Environmental impact mitigation<ul><li>Marginal non-compliance in some parameters were reported, such as cadmium, copper and zinc concentrations, which will be addressed through discussions with the DFFE.</li><li>When marginal non-compliance occurs in some parameters, these are noted to be addressed in consultation with the DFFE. </li></ul>4. Matters in progress<ul><li>The City is currently awaiting clarity from the DFFE on design-flow specifications. </li></ul>The engagement offered a platform for participants to seek clarity on the presentations and provide comments on areas where monitoring could be improved. There was also further discussion on the study recently undertaken by the City, in which several alternatives to the existing marine outfalls were identified. Implementing these options is subject to budget availability and guided by the feasibility and environmental impact assessments required.<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Jeremy%20Rose%20presenting%20the%20progress%20and%20preliminary%20findings%20on%20the%20receiving%20environment%20monitoring%20programme.jpeg" alt="" style="width:2139px;" /></figure>Summary of alternatives to the existing marine outfalls:Short-term Option:<ul><li>Refurbishment: Upgrading the current marine outfall infrastructure (including pump stations), with an estimated cost of R140 million. </li></ul>Medium-term Options:<ul><li>Expansion: Considerably extending the marine outfall zones (excluding environmentally protected areas). For example, the Camps Bay outfall, currently positioned 1,3km offshore, could potentially extend 11,6km further into the ocean.</li><li>New wastewater treatment facilities: Exploring the development and construction of the first phase of new wastewater treatment facilities near existing marine outfalls. </li></ul>Long-term Options:<ul><li>Pump stations and pipelines: Building pump stations and pipelines to transport wastewater to existing treatment facilities, along with expanding conventional facilities at existing works.</li><li>Phase 2 wastewater treatment plants: Developing Phase 2 of new wastewater treatment plants near existing outfalls.</li><li>Advanced wastewater treatment plant: Implementing a phased construction of an advanced wastewater treatment plant near existing outfalls, incorporating primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment processes. </li></ul> End

2024-08-13T22:00:00Z

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