Cape Town marine sewage outfall dispute heads to independent appeals panel

ActionSA claims the City of Cape Town has repeatedly breached its licensing conditions regarding the discharge of sewage into the ocean. The political party is seeking an order to stop the City from using its three marine outfalls and to mandate the adoption of safer measures for sewage disposal.

The matter is currently before an independent appeals panel, which is set to rule on the dispute. ActionSA lodged an appeal against the City's licensing practices two years ago.

ActionSA National Chairperson Michael Beaumont highlighted the party's concerns today while briefing the media at the Green Point marine outfall. He specifically accused the City of exceeding its daily sewage discharge limits at the Hout Bay outfall.

"In the two years it has taken to have this appeal, it is estimated over 19 billion litres of raw, untreated sewage has gone out into the oceans in the City of Cape Town."

City Mayco Member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, countered ActionSA's claims, asserting that the City has adhered to its permit conditions.

Badroodien defended the City' practices, citing expert opinion:

"Because of the feedback being provided by these scientists who are experts in this space, that even in the area where the sewage plume... even in that space the water being measured is clearly in line with the original licence parameters."

He also noted that the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment is currently reviewing its seage outfall permits.