Battle over marine outfalls: ActionSA flags health risks as City defends discharge permits

The City of Cape Town has denied claims of a sewage crisis along its coastline, despite escalating concerns from ActionSA regarding the release of untreated wastewater into the ocean.

ActionSA has submitted formal objections to an independent appeals panel, challenging the City’s practice of pumping raw sewage through three marine outfalls located in Camps Bay, Green Point, and Hout Bay.

READ: Cape Town marine sewage outfall dispute heads to independent appeals panel

ActionSA National Chairperson Michael Beaumont alleges that approximately 20 billion litres of untreated sewage have been discharged into the marine environment over the past two years.

"ActionSA has grown concerned about the fact that the licensing conditions given to the City of Cape Town to release sewage into this natural environment have not been met over a very long period of time," Beaumont stated.

In response, Zahid Badroodien, the City’ Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, maintained that the City relies on expert scientific monitoring to ensure public safety and environmental health.

"Because of the feedback provided by these scientists, who are experts in this field, even in the areas where the sewage plume occurs, the water being measured is clearly in line with the original licence parameters," he said.

Badroodien adds that the city’s permits are currently under review by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.