At the newly-installed litter boom in Soet River at Greenways Golf Estate (from left) are Hugo Knoetze, Ash Lee Adams, Ntombikhona Precious Kuboni, Zahid Badroodien (Mayoral Committee member for Water and Sanitation) and Mfundo Matiwane.

The fight against water pollution along the Soet River in Strand has significantly been boosted with the installation of three new litter interceptors, designed to trap high volumes of waste before it contaminates waters along the False Bay coast.

The crucial installation project was initiated by the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate in April, marking a key phase in a broader environmental initiative spearheaded by council’s Catchment Stormwater and River Management Branch.

The river, which flows through Lwandle, Nomzamo and Strand before entering the ocean via Greenways Golf Estate, has long grappled with an overwhelming influx of solid waste. Illegal dumping in the township’s catchment areas remains a persistent and costly challenge for the City, which allocates at least R1,5 million towards cleaning efforts in the waterway annually.

Now the municipality has invested an additional R1,1 million into the strategic placement of the three new litter interceptors, engineered to capture floating debris such as plastics, cans, bottles and general refuse, preventing it from flowing into the ocean.

The installations include a litter-cage trap at the intersection of Broadway Boulevard and Onverwacht Road, a litter boom downstream of Broadway Boulevard in another branch of the Soet River and a litter boom at Greenways estate, located before the river’s outflow into the ocean.

Plans are in place for fortnightly cleaning and upkeep of two interceptors, with increased frequency following heavy rainfall.

The Greenways estate body corporate has volunteered to undertake weekly cleaning of the interceptor, situated within its premises.

“The full project installation along the Soet River is much needed and scheduled to be completed soon.”

Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee member for Water and Sanitation, expressed optimism about the project’s early impact.

Looking ahead, plans are already in motion for a fourth interceptor at the intersection of Boundary Road and Abattoir Street. Badroodien strongly appealed to residents to safeguard the waterways. “By taking responsibility for careful disposal of litter and other household and industrial waste correctly, you’re helping to keep your community clean and protecting our rivers.”

Dave Walker, chairperson of the Soet River Catchment Management Forum, is encouraged by the significant strides made. “The major industrial-sized litter interceptor at the corner of Broadway Boulevard and Onverwacht Road, which has already captured three tons of large items from recent rains, is proving very effective.

“The other two interceptors are smaller but also effective. The real test, of course, will be the winter rains. Beyond this, we’ve secured commitments for land clean-ups and are in the process of appointing river wardens to report sewer leaks and illegal dumping, among others.

“The bio-remediation and nano-bubble system at Greenways has been incredibly efficient; the smell is completely gone. Coupled with regular beach clean-ups, good things are definitely happening. I’m optimistic that if everyone follows through on their promises, we’ll see a major improvement by next summer.”

Dave Walker.
Installation of the litter-cage interceptor underway in the upper Soet River near Nomzamo.
Councillor Zahid Badroodien at the recently installed litter boom in the Soet River at Greenways Estate, Strand.

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