Environmental Affairs Dept still determining amount of sewage CoCT can pump into ocean

CAPE TOWN - The Department of Environmental Affairs says a process to determine the amount of sewage the City of Cape Town can pump into the ocean is still under way.  

This is after the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment - Dion George - decided to suspend outflow volumes related to the city's permits.  

The decision came after the city appealed for restrictions to the discharge of effluent at its Camps Bay, Green Point and Hout Bay outfalls to be lifted.

Advocate Farhana Patel, who deals with high court litigation and appeals said after the city made an initial application in 2014, several appeals were lodged against the permits.

Then-minister Barbara Creecy returned the application to the city for a renewed public participation process.

Patel said following another appeal by the city for sewage outflow restrictions to be lifted, George lifted the conditions in August 2024.

"The minister suspended only, and nothing more, the outflow volume per the discharge permits. All other conditions in the discharge permits remain intact, including the condition that the city must report to the department in terms of its outflow."   

Patel said George would make a more informed decision in due time.