Clifton water quality reports alarmist and sensational
Despite this alarmist headline on the front page of today's Cape Times (Clifton beach warning), I would like to reassure the public that Cape Town's popular bathing spots are safe for swimming and other recreational use. If problems arise, as they do in beaches around the world, we will act immediately - as we have done in the past.
It is unfortunate and perplexing that this publication chose to create sensation by using the findings of a study that was conducted nearly two years ago without mentioning just how out-of-date the information quoted is.
For the sake of clarity, it is worth noting that the City is not responsible for the state of the coastal water - our responsibility is solely with ensuring that the waters around Waste Water Treatment Works and stormwater outlets are compliant. We do this by testing the quality of coastal water every second week, in accordance with national legislation.
There are very strict guidelines about the manner in which the testing is done and all our results are corroborated by accredited laboratories. The City has established sample sites along both the False Bay and Atlantic coastlines. These sample sites are determined by popular bathing beaches and the vicinity of storm water discharges and river mouths to determine the impact these have on seawater quality.
While we remain compliant within our mandate and conduct regular tests, waste and other potential pollutants can come from other sources such as industry and ships. The Department of Environmental Affairs would therefore have to be consulted, as indicated to the journalist, but I notice that the article contained no input from the department.
The threat of pollution is one that we actively manage on a daily basis and it does pose a great challenge for this administration - and others around the country. However, where the situation warrants and a bathing beach is non-compliant, the City communicates this via the media and other appropriate warning messages, including signage, in the affected areas until the sea water quality is compliant again - as we did in Hout Bay a few months ago.
Given the above, I believe that the publication's decision to run the story was deeply irresponsible. Biased and inaccurate articles of this nature do untold and unnecessary damage to Cape Town's image as a coastal city.
As the city with the highest number of Blue Flag beaches in the country, we trust that the facts will speak for themselves and our residents and visitors will continue to enjoy our beaches this summer.
Statement issued by Councillor Benedicta Van Minnen, Mayoral Committee Member for Health, City of Cape Town, December 23 2014
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