Some Cape Town beaches are temporarily closed due to sewage leaks.

 Jan 3, 2023

People sunbalhe and swim at the beach

As Cape Town's temperatures climb, additional beaches have been closed because of a sewage spill, and more closures are likely.

The major swimming area at Fish Hoek Beach between the lifeguard station and Jager's Walk has been temporarily restricted to the general public until further notice, the city declared on Monday.

The sewer overflow that led to the temporary closure was brought on by a clogged sewer line that has now been unblocked. Plastics and other items were taken out of the sewage pipe.

The statement added, "The public is advised to refrain from illegal dumping and instead dispose of their garbage via existing solid waste services or take recyclables to the City's drop-off sites."

This comes following the City's declaration on Sunday that Small Bay in Blaauwberg and the Deep Blue area of Strand Beach along the False Bay shoreline would be temporarily closed.

The City stated that these steps were taken out of an abundance of caution and that water samples will be taken at several beaches.

Anyone who enters the water "does so at their own risk," it said. "This is a precaution, as contact with the water could result in potential gastrointestinal issues."

A health warning sign has been put up to inform the public of the circumstance.

Acting mayor Eddie Andrews said, "The City's sewer pump stations need energy to work efficiently and carry sewage to wastewater treatment plants where it may be treated."

Despite the emergency safeguards that are in place, sewage leaks and overflows are to be expected during extended load shedding periods.

The Mayoral Advisory Committee on Water Quality in Wetlands and Waterways's chair, Alex Lansdowne, stated: "To determine whether it is safe to come in contact with environmental water, we utilise worldwide environmental health guidelines.

"This is combined with a strict testing schedule where we frequently sample every day. Science is used to protect humans from environmental degradation.

"Due to the fact that pump stations are situated where there are low spots in the sewage system, they are frequently close to areas where rivers and the ocean overflow. The effects of sewage infiltration on the ecosystem are really harmful, "he said.