Why Bays of Sewage?
Water Is A Human Right — Know Your Rights
Written into the South African Constitution in 1996, highlighting our environmental rights:
Chapter 4, Section 24 of the Constitution states that:
Everyone has the right to:
- an environment which is not harmful to their health or well-being
- have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations through reasonable legislative and other measures that:
- prevent pollution and ecological degradation
- promote conservation
- secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources, while promoting justifiable economic and social development.
Section 24 has two important consequences:
- It protects our health and well-being
- It places a duty on the state, on business, and on all South Africans, to prevent pollution and other damage to the environment, and to promote conservation and sustainable development.
Every government authority national, provincial and local has a duty to take reasonable steps, in its current functions as well as future plans, to prevent pollution, promote conservation and ensure sustainable development.
Ocean Alert – We Have A Problem!
You can smell it, you can feel it and you can see it… it is killing our oceanlife in the Atlantic Bays of Cape Town and it must stop now.
Humans and the products, chemicals, plastics and pharmaceuticals we consume mostly ends up in the ocean.
“The presence and levels of fifteen chemicals of emerging concerns, including five perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), two industrial chemicals, seven pharmaceuticals and one personal care product, were evaluated in biota, seawater and sediments obtained from near-shore coastal zone in Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa. Eight compounds were found in seawater, and between nine to twelve compounds were quantified in marine invertebrates, sediment and seaweed. Diclofenac was the prevalent pharmaceutical with a maximum concentration of 2.86 ng/L in seawater, ≥110.9 ng/g dry weight (dw) in sediments and ≥67.47 ng/g dw in marine biotas. Among PFCs, perfluoroheptanoic acid was predominant in seawater (0.21-0.46 ng/L). Accumulation of perfluorodecanoic acid (764 ng/g dw) as well as perfluorononanoic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid (504.52 and 597.04 ng/g dw, respectively) was highest in samples of seaweed. The environmental risk assessment carried out in this study showed that although individual pollutants pose a low acute and chronic risk, yet individual compounds each had a high bioaccumulation factor in diverse marine species, and their combination as a complex mixture in marine organisms might have adverse effects upon aquatic organisms. Data revealed that this Atlantic Ocean marine protected environment is affected by the presence of numerous and diverse emerging contaminants that could only have originated from sewage discharges. The complex mixture of persistent chemicals found bioaccumulating in marine organisms could bode ill for the propagation and survival of marine protected species, since many of these compounds are known toxicants.“
Corporates: Plastic pollutants from packaging, chemicals in pesticideds, building materials and oils that are dumped by restaurants into drains are highly toxic to our environment.
Government dumps Raw Sewage into the sea: Sewage pollution is everything we flush down the loo or wash down the drain that is released into the environment through sewer overflows, or that washes off the land and roads. The disposal of our sewage is the responsibility of the City of Cape Town government, which we pay for each month in our rates bill. And no the sea does not dilute it, the ocean holds it in the bays and the sealife suffer the consequences.
The 3 marine outfalls contribute to these contaminants in our bays and are a health risk to our marine protected areas, the ocean life and our communities. Each day a total of 55 million litres of Preliminary Raw Sewage is pumped into our bays made up from Hout Bay; Camps Bay and Green Point. Green Point MOP falls within the Robben Island Marine Protected Area and the TMNP, which is a violation to the permit issued by the national government.
Aside from the MOPs placed in MPA and TMNP reserves, the City falsely declares the pipeline length are a sufficient distance from the pumps station yet omits the Camps Bay and Hout Bay MOPs discharge points are significantly closer in proximity to the shoreline whilst ignoring these bays also trap the discharge with any onshore wind, currents and prevailing swell direction.
To understand these kind of volumes, imagine 44 000 petrol tanks lined up going out just into Camps Bay alone every single day or 41/2 Olympic size swimming pools of raw sewage splashing 700m off Maidens Cove.
How is our sewage ”treated”?
Wastewater is treated in 3 phases: primary (solid removal), secondary (bacterial decomposition) and tertiary with extra filtration.
The City of Cape Town does not do this for the the Atlantic Coast, but only does a preliminary treatment. And while many countries do dispose of their sewage into the ocean, it should be treated, never simply macerated.
Preliminary treatment is the removal of floating materials, grit and oily substances. To put it simply it is a treatment that is supposed to remove inorganic matter like tampons, toilet paper, etc and then it is mascerated and released in its raw state into the ocean. Chemicals, pharmaceuticals and microplastics all flow into the ocean. This is unacceptable and a serious health risk for all!
More detailed information on our cities wastewater programme can be found here: https://waterstories.co.za/cape-town-waste-water/
A Growing City With Bigger Demands On Resources
The PROBLEMS with the current sewar pipelines or MOP’s (Marine Outfall Pipes), some of which are 100 years old!!… is that we all need an upgrade after a while…. (population of Cape Town when the pipes were built was 130 000 people compared to today a population of 5 million people and growing – why are we using the same system to service so many more people?)
Here is the history of our MOP’s explained:
The city regularly likes to claim the outfalls are meeting ‘their design objectives’.
Here is an example in this article ‘Experts raise flags’: https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/experts-raise-flags-over-cape-town-beaches-e9655cd7-ebf2-4b98-8d69-b3ca9b10d16d
“Their overall key conclusion is that the marine outfalls are meeting their design objectives in reducing potential deleterious ecological and/or human health effects.”
But what are these objectives? To disperse sewage, as per ‘the science of the day’? The Camps Bay outfall dates back to 1977. At that time we also put lead in petrol and in paint, and we mined for asbestos without proper protection for workers, and put the asbestos in water pipes and school roofs, because ‘we didn’t know better back then’.
The Hout Bay permit states: “The total pipeline length is 2162m from the highwater mark” In fact, pipe length is not relevant. All that matters is the distance from the outfall discharge point, to the nearest shore. When one puts the outfall pump station co-ordinates, plus the discharge point co-ordinates, as on the outfall permits, into Google Earth, and use the Google Earth ruler to measure distances, the following is shown: • Hout Bay’s discharge point is only roughly 700m from the land, which is a nature reserve (and even closer to where surfers participate in the International Big Wave event at ‘Dungeons’ surf spot).
- Hout Bay’s discharge point is a mere 1000m from the pump station.
Health Risks
Chemicals
Solutions to the Problem
Are Alternatives Affordable?
Are Sewage Treatment Alternatives Desirable?
What can you do?
- Join our community by reporting observations about Sewage issues and learn more about how you can get involved: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BZ2QKBLmrJj4xxRvEtLTl3
- Did you know that the most toxic thing in your home is dishwashing and washing products as they are laden with microplastics,Surfactants, Phosphates, Optical brighteners, Artificial fragrances, Preservatives, Dyes, Chlorine bleach. Not only are these chemicals bad for you, but they also wreak havoc on the environment, disrupting fragile ecosystems and contaminating waterways.
- Change your ways by using biodegradable ecological products that break down naturally and do not kill our ocean. They clean better!
- Become an Ocean Advocate! Speak up in your commuity to address recycling programs, beach clean-ups and more. Get in touch with your local councillor and find out about new developments that put pressure on our already fragile water system.
- Sunscreen chemicals kill the ocean! – choose products that do not kill! Zinc is an example of an effective sun protector that does no harm.
The OFG Program educates the general public and decision-makers on simple steps everyone can take to reduce pollution, conserve water, restore natural watershed functions, and create habitat restoration – all in our developed landscapes.
Please report your experiences to the direcorate for Community Services and Health as provided. When surfers, swimmers or beach-goers fall ill from suspected ocean pollution, the protocol is to alert the City’s Community Services and Health directorate. This log will assist us in our campaign as doctors do not report this. Reasons the City claims to have received no reports is because people either don’t make the report after they have fallen ill, or don’t make the report under the right directorate. Here’s the MAYCO details that needs to be contacted. Cllr Patricia van der Ross
Mayoral Committee Member: Community Services and Health
Telephone: 069 299 3933
Email: Patricia.VanDerRoss@capetown.gov.za Cc data@baysofsewage.co.za
• Write to the mayor of Cape Town sharing your concerns: mayor.mayor@capetown.gov.za Geordin Hill-Lewis (Executive Mayor)
• Write to the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Ms Barbara Dallas Creecy. Members of Parliament Fax: (021) 403-8219 info@parliament.gov.za
• Comment on City Development proposals to ensure that developers take responsibility of their sewage disposal.
https://www.capetown.gov.za/City- Connect/Have-your-say/Issues-open-for-public-comment
What the City can do:
By means of advanced water treatment processes typically used for drinking water production. This is also exactly what the city has commissioned at their massive Potsdam ‘water reuse’ project. (‘water reuse’ being a more politically-acceptable way of describing turning sewage effluent into drinking water).
“The Faure New Water Scheme (FNWS) has been identified as the best opportunity for water reuse in the city of Cape Town, after 25 years of extensive research and planning. The scheme will receive treated wastewater from the Zandvliet Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is currently being upgraded to include enhanced treatment processes to ensure high quality of treated water. The treated wastewater from Zandvliet will be piped to the Faure Water Treatment Plant, 5 kilometres away for advanced purification. The Faure treatment plant is expected to produce up to 100 million litres of potable water per day.
In addition, all rivers & storm water outlet into the sea must have litter traps fitted to eliminate this issue, which should be checked regularly and serviced if broken.
(Dave’s video of the pumpstation not working)
What are the consequences of using marine outfalls to dump raw sewage in the ocean? ChatGPT provided the following summary.
Using marine outfalls to dump raw sewage in the ocean can have several environmental and public health consequences. While it was a common practice in the past, it is generally discouraged today due to the negative impacts it can have on marine ecosystems and human well-being. Here are some of the consequences:
Water Pollution: Dumping raw sewage into the ocean introduces a range of pollutants, including pathogens (bacteria, viruses), nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), suspended solids, and organic matter. These pollutants can contaminate coastal waters, affecting water quality and making it unsafe for swimming, fishing, and other recreational activities.
Health Risks: Raw sewage contains harmful microorganisms that can cause waterborne diseases in humans. Swimming or consuming seafood from waters contaminated with untreated sewage can lead to illnesses such as gastroenteritis, hepatitis, and respiratory infections.
Harm to Marine Life: The discharge of raw sewage can harm marine ecosystems. Excess nutrients from sewage can lead to eutrophication, a process where excessive plant and algae growth depletes oxygen levels in the water, leading to dead zones where marine life cannot survive. Pathogens in sewage can also harm aquatic animals and disrupt the balance of the ecosystem.
Loss of Biodiversity: Dumping raw sewage can negatively impact local marine species and biodiversity. Changes in water quality can lead to the decline or displacement of sensitive species, which can have ripple effects throughout the food web.
Coral Reef Damage: Coastal sewage discharge can contribute to coral reef degradation. Excessive nutrients can fuel the growth of algae that compete with corals for space, light, and nutrients, leading to reduced coral health and potentially causing coral bleaching and death.
Bioaccumulation: Toxins and contaminants in raw sewage can enter the food chain. Marine organisms can accumulate these pollutants over time, potentially posing risks to humans who consume seafood from contaminated waters.
Beach Closures: High levels of contamination from sewage outfalls can lead to frequent beach closures due to health hazards, which can have economic implications for coastal communities dependent on tourism.
Legal and Regulatory Consequences: Many countries and regions have laws and regulations that prohibit or restrict the dumping of raw sewage into the ocean. Violations can result in legal penalties and fines for responsible parties.
Public Awareness: The public perception of sewage dumping in the ocean can have reputational consequences for municipalities or industries involved. There is often public backlash and pressure to adopt more environmentally friendly sewage treatment practices.
To mitigate these consequences, many municipalities and organizations have invested in wastewater treatment facilities that treat sewage before it is discharged into the ocean. These facilities remove harmful pathogens and reduce the levels of nutrients and contaminants, improving water quality and reducing the negative impacts on marine ecosystems and public health. Proper sewage treatment and disposal are essential to protect the environment and human well-being.
