CoCT closely monitoring its marine sewage outfalls to meet water quality compliance measures

CAPE TOWN - The City of Cape Town said that its marine sewage outfalls were being closely monitored to meet water quality compliance measures.  

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Dion George recently made a decision to temporarily lift sewage outflow restrictions at the city's Camps Bay, Green Point and Hout Bay sewage outfalls.

Mayco member for water and sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, said that the city's coastal management and scientific services branch regularly tested water quality at its sewage outfalls.

"In this instance, as a result of the lifting component of our permit, the city, in our opinion, has reverted back to the original licensing permits."    

The lifted restrictions allow the city to pump more than 30 million litres of sewage into the ocean daily.

The department of environmental affairs said it would intervene if there were any health or environmental risks related to sewage being pumped into the ocean.