Dear Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis
The October school holidays have begun and again the raw sewage flows across the “Stront” Beach, that inconveniently discharges into the primary swimming area of our beloved Helderberg beachfront.
The Voorburg Water Canal, an irrigation servitude which emanates from the National Protected Environment of Lourens River near Medi-Clinic in Somerset West, is an underground canal that supplies the dam opposite Strand High School. From there it runs through the Goedehoop and Lochnerhof suburbs to discharge from the Wilberforce Street culvert outlet onto the main swimming beach opposite the Topaz building. This culvert also acts as the bulk stormwater conveyance from the Lochnerhof area south of Wilberforce Street. Currently this stormwater outlet onto the beach is fouled by sewage which is discharging into the stormwater system via cross connections between the two systems.
This is happening due to another collapse on the Trappies bulk sewer shortly before the Lourens River crossing. The collapse is causing surcharging sewage in the Trappies pipeline as well as the local sewer system in Lochnerhof. The result is frequent blockages, sewer overflows, and sewage line collapses of over 50 events in five years. Currently there are three sink holes on the sewer in Joubert Street in less than 500m. The only warning to beachgoers here is a minuscule yellow environmental health risk warning sign against the old bus shelter wall, hidden from unsuspecting public view and void of the NEMA Section 30 “No swimming” Notice advisory, that is placed near Bunard Street at the Melkbaai access ramp some 600m away.
When you gleefully presented the Ou Trappies Upgrade Project budget in November 2022 to the community, I proposed that we establish a Water Quality Flag System to provide a warning advisory to the environmental health risk the community will suffer throughout the anticipated upgrade period.
When MMC Badroodien presented the Ou Trappies Upgrade Project on 6 September 2023, the following day the De Villiers Street collapse saw the beach closed for recreational use because of the sewage pollution. The pubic was not adequately warned and numerous cases of illness were reported in the extended period, several of which were hospitalised and three were in ICU, a swimmer, a paddler and surfer who after sixty years of surfing has stopped in fear of a repeated health repercussion.
It remains that the City has again failed to implement its own Coastal Sewage Pollution Response Protocol, promulgated in January 2023, where in conjunction with the Health Directorate, Parks and Recreation, W&S and Coastal Management, the regional beach manager must be informed so to advise the water safety services along with the responsible councillors to adequately warn the community and recreational water users of the pollution status.
The City has not adopted the World Health Organisation guidelines to a Recreational Water Safety Management Plan for monitoring and communication of the Environmental Health Risks.
Sadly the MMC for Water and Sanitation chooses to blame “Strand Water Activist” for fear mongering when the absence of water quality data remains withheld as Ou Trappies failures pollute our waters and negatively impedes our property valuations, the businesses serving the recreational enjoyment, our communities health and the well-being of visitors.
It appears that the Strand Daily Water Coastal Testing (Monday-Friday) for Pipe and Dakkies swimming area data was retrospectively posted to the Wind2Speed Weather Station, but this initiative has conveniently finished its monitoring programme period on the eve of the Ou Trappies Upgrade project and public angst has skyrocketed.
Despite my early endeavours to establish the Strand Beach Stakeholders, so to represent the engagement to the numerous recreational water users and beachgoers community, Coastal Manager has seemingly undermined my involvement to instead retain an exclusive communication to a selected privy few, rather than enabling official advisory updates via BOS-Helderberg, Strand & Gordons Bay-Coastal Water & River Environmental Awareness, the Helderberg Ratepayers Association and other stakeholder community groups.
A longstanding engagement as well documented in this email thread, yet your administration has failed to willingly engage within these interest to establish a Water Quality Flag System and appears to have obfuscated its responsibilities of data transparency so to save reputational damage to tourism, but at the causality your constituency welfare that you are elected and mandated to serve.
This WQFS initiative is supported by the interests of Lifesaving Cape Town and the NSRI to adopt water quality as a component of water safety.
Similarly in consultation with WESSA, as conveyors of the Blue Flag Beach, it is our aim to establish this at Strand. They are also in support of a WQFS that serves to offer a segue for a year-round status advisory of water quality fluctuations as a holistic means to observe the upstream ecology custodianship that impacts the downstream environment.
As a born Somerset West resident and lifelong waterman, I have steadily witnessed the degradation of the local water quality along with our Mother City natural biodiversity, which reflects the municipal ailing infrastructure status to contend with litter and water contamination.
I partake in numerous Section 80 and Subcouncil 8 – river, waterway and coastal environment forums, yet have barely seen the responsible Helderberg councillors attend the Lourens River Catchment Forum Meetings. As per Geelsloot and Ou Trappies examples, lacking official engagement further fuels the public disillusion as user experience is ignored to perpetuate frustration as the apparent denial, deceit, deflection, dismissal, arrogant and gaslighting narrative is pushed.
‘First fix sewage issues’ – Somerset West Residents object to Geelsloot upgrade
Similarly the aggrieved environmental community finds it incongruous to read DFFE Minister Dr Deon George – Daily Maverick ‘Protecting our coasts through enforcing accountability for municipal discharges’ as ‘aspirational conjecture’ of preserving of the environment, yet his extends the Coastal Water Discharge Permits for the Marine Outfall Pipeline that spews 50 MLD of raw sewage into the Table Mountain National Park and Robben Island Marine Protected Area along with the two MOPs in the Rheinmetall Denel property that discharge sewage and heavy metals into the Helderberg MPA.
It’s distressing the African Penguin eggs, mussels and other marine creatures are all suffering the bioaccumulation of pharmaceuticals, Chemicals of Emerging Concern, FSASs (microplastics) and other Persistent Pollutants as City WWTW splutters poorly treated discharge as street sewage overflows into our waterways.
Against which the City proposes the Faure Water Reclaim Project and Desalination Project with outdated SAN241 thresholds to future proof water supply by 20%, yet seemingly ignoring the current ecological degradation status and subsequent environmental health risk advisories to heighten public participation to work collaboratively.
The City Inland Rivers and Waterways report reflect a 20% increase of sewage pollution in the reporting period, which reflects a 59% contamination of the Mother City’s waterbodies from the WWTW and sewage network failure to contend with an ever expanding urban sprawl, overcapacity demands on ailing infrastructure and woeful maintenance to which the City is demanding ratepayers’ to cough up more for vanity projects than for service delivery.
In my capacity as Helderberg Ratepayers Association environmental representative, I wish to propose that we gain clarity from yourself to establishing a Water Quality Flag System and Water Quality Forecast Advisory that in collaboration with the City’s Inland and Coastal data, paired to weather and incident events updates to create an adaptive learning AI algorithm to forecast and facilitate an accessible online platform to quell the public anxiety and advance the City commitment to preventative transparency and ecological reporting.
I along with the collective of impacted Strand, Gordon’s Bay, Maccassar ratepayers, residents, business owners and greater community stakeholders await your visit on 15 October to account for the ailing infrastructure woes and environmental degradation plaguing the Helderberg for immediate recourse action instead of presenting a vision of platitudes and ambitions of expanding development on creaky infrastructure.
Kind regards
Jamii Hamlin – On behalf of the Helderberg Ratepayers Association – Environment
Response from Alderman Xanthea Limberg, the acting Mayco member for water and sanitation:
The City of Cape Town acknowledges the concerns raised in the Helderberg Ratepayers Association’s letter dated 7 October 2025. We would like to clarify and provide context on the issues regarding water quality, infrastructure and communication in the Helderberg area.
Trappies Bulk Sewer collapse and sewage flows at Strand Beach
This concern relates to a recent collapse on the Trappies Bulk Sewer near the Lourens River crossing, resulting in temporary sewage overflows affecting sections of Strand Beach. A section of the Trappies bulk sewer was installed at an incorrect gradient by a previous contractor. Investigations are currently underway to identify alternative engineering methods for reinstating portions of the sewer to alleviate the surcharge condition. The City is addressing several localised sewer faults near the Lourens River crossing, including sinkholes, blockages, and structural defects. These are being repaired systematically as part of a coordinated rehabilitation plan to restore full network integrity. Residents have been notified where investigations are ongoing, and regular communication will continue as work progresses.
In September 2023, a collapse in the Trappies Bulk Sewer near the Lourens River caused temporary sewage spills affecting parts of Strand Beach. As a precaution, the City closed the affected beach area immediately. Warning signs were put up, and local stakeholders, including the Strand Surf Lifesaving Club, were informed. We also spoke to one surfer who became ill and confirmed he had seen the closure signs before entering the water. Therefore, we dispute claims that the public was not warned.
The Trappies Bulk Sewer rehabilitation is well underway through two separate works projects in the De Villiers and Joubert Street areas. Over half of the first section has already been lined, with completion targeted before the builders’ break. Preparations for the second phase are ongoing, with lining expected to start early in 2026.
Implementation of the Coastal sewage pollution response protocol
Contrary to some statements, the City did follow its Coastal Sewage Pollution Response Protocol (issued January 2023). The beach closure, signage, and coordination across relevant departments, including Environmental Health, Coastal Management and Water and Sanitation, occurred as prescribed.
Water quality data transparency
There is no intention to withhold water quality data. Our data is routinely collected and shared publicly through various City platforms. We also provide daily test results and weekly updates directly to the Chairperson of the Strand Surf Lifesaving Club, ensuring those managing the beach are fully informed.
Ongoing daily water testing
The claim that daily water quality monitoring stopped before the Trappies sewer upgrade is incorrect. Daily testing continues as part of ongoing research and operational oversight. These results help assess long-term trends and are shared with the Surf Lifesaving Club.
Strand Beach stakeholder engagement
The City maintains regular communication with recognised operational stakeholders, including the Strand Surf Lifesaving Club, which represents the primary users of the affected coastal area. Broader engagement with community and environmental groups continues through structured forums, community meetings and City communication channels.
Proposal for a Water Quality Flag System (WQFS)
The City has responded to previous requests for a flag-based warning system. Experience from over 20 years of operating the shark spotting programme has shown that public understanding of flag systems remains low, requiring extensive signage to explain their meaning. For this reason, the City’s preferred method of public communication remains clear, standardised warning signage, which aligns with international norms for water quality and pollution advisories.
Water quality patterns at Strand Beach
The City’s long-term monitoring data for Strand Beach is comprehensive and consistent. Results show that water quality is excellent under dry conditions and remains well within recreational limits throughout the summer season. However, during rainfall events, bacterial levels rise significantly and take approximately 36–48 hours to return to normal.
This is due to several factors unique to Strand:
The flat topography results in low gravity flow and higher stormwater ingress into the sewer system, causing overflows during rain.
Runoff from informal areas adds contaminants to local rivers and stormwater channels.
Limited water circulation in the nearshore area prolongs the clearance time of bacteria.
This pattern is not new and aligns with data trends recorded since the early 2000s. Water quality testing is therefore most useful as a risk assessment tool, not a real-time indicator. The City uses these long-term patterns to guide operational risk communication and management.
Participation in Catchment Management Forum
City technical and operational staff, including representatives from Catchment, Stormwater and River Management (CSRM) and broader Water and Sanitation, participate in the Lourens River Catchment Forum. Attendance varies depending on agenda items, but engagement remains ongoing as part of broader catchment stewardship and community collaboration efforts.
Marine outfalls and emerging contaminants
The City recognises that contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), including pharmaceuticals and personal care products, pose new challenges globally. Existing wastewater treatment plants were not originally designed to remove these contaminants. This is a shared limitation worldwide.
The City is actively supporting research and evaluating long-term options to improve treatment for CECs at all wastewater treatment works (WWTWs). Ongoing global research informs these evaluations. In the meantime, the City’s Scientific Services Branch conducts extensive water quality testing across multiple parameters to monitor the presence and concentration of these substances.
Faure New Water Scheme and Desalination projects
These projects form a crucial part of Cape Town’s water security strategy. The Faure New Water Scheme uses a prescribed treatment train, a fixed sequence of advanced treatment steps, carefully designed to remove many harmful chemicals, including PFAS and pharmaceuticals. An International Advisory Panel has reviewed and approved this process to ensure it follows world best practice. The water is purified through multiple stages, ozonation, biological activated carbon, granular activated carbon filtration, ultrafiltration, advanced UV oxidation, and chlorine disinfection, each targeting different contaminants. This multi-barrier approach means if one step underperforms, the others still protect water quality. The plant will operate under rigorous monitoring and safety controls, the Hazard Assessment and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system, which monitors every treatment step in real time. If a problem occurs, unsafe water will be diverted and prevented from entering the drinking supply. The City currently monitors nearly 1,000 potential contaminants – including pathogens, metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and PFAS – comparing results against international safety limits. All treated water must conform to SANS 241:2015, which is risk-based and aligned with the World Health Organisation’s drinking water guidelines.
Similarly, the proposed Paarden Eiland Desalination Plant are conducting detailed feed-water studies to determine optimum process design. The facility will use Reverse Osmosis (RO) as part of a robust multi-barrier treatment process, which also includes UV Advanced Oxidation Processes, capable of safely converting seawater into high-quality potable water. The process design follows global precedent and best practice, ensuring that Cape Town’s drinking water remains safe and compliant and able to adapt to updated National Standards if issued during the operational life of the project. As per FNWS, the plant will also comply to Part 2 of SANS241 that requires operations and design taking cognisance of a comprehensive Health Risk Assessment over and above the standard minimum criteria specified in SANS 241: PART 1.
Infrastructure maintenance and pollution reduction
Though pollution incidents happen occasionally, they are actively managed with established protocols. Significant investment is underway to upgrade sewer infrastructure, including the Trappies Rehabilitation Project and Gordon’s Bay Wastewater Treatment Works’ rising main. These are essential service improvements to enhance system resilience and protect public health, reducing pollution risk and protecting public health and the environment.
Rehabilitation projects planned for the current and next financial years include:
300 mm bulk sewer rehabilitation (parallel to Trappies): Comprehensive rehabilitation of the 300 mm bulk sewer line running alongside the Trappies system.
Local network rehabilitation draining into Trappies: Key local sewer lines discharging into the Trappies bulk line are being evaluated for rehabilitation. Streets under review include Marais, Brand, Union, Van der Stel, Fagan, Da Gama, Wilberforce, and Woltemade. A feasibility study is assessing the scope and its impact on the broader Trappies rehabilitation project.
Broadlands Industrial area sewers: Rehabilitation of deteriorated sewers in this industrial area is underway, where pipe degradation has been worsened by effluent discharges from a nearby vinegar factory. Water Pollution Control is investigating discharges from this facility concurrently.
These investments are essential service delivery efforts aimed at protecting public health and the environment rather than cosmetic projects.
Issues like aging infrastructure, emerging contaminants, and climate variability are global challenges. The City remains committed to transparent communication, scientific integrity, and ongoing improvement to strengthen wastewater reuse, and coastal management systems. The Water and Sanitation Directorate, together with Environmental Health and Coastal Management, continue to monitor, communicate, and act promptly on any water quality or infrastructure matters affecting the Helderberg area.
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