Cape Town authorities deny ocean sewage "calamity"
Cape Town municipal authorities in South Africa denied that the ocean near the city is experiencing a sewage-related “calamity.” Coastal and environmental manager Gregg Oelofse said this on September 11 during a discussion at The Gathering 2026 event, Daily Maverick reports.
According to Oelofse, the city has to treat or dispose of nearly 60% of the water it supplies to residents. He noted that given current levels of water use and pollution, traces of contamination in the natural environment should not be surprising despite treatment measures. At the same time, the official stressed that this does not mean pollution is acceptable and that the environment’s capacity to absorb waste must not be exceeded.
Water quality at beaches
Oelofse also rejected claims that the city administration allegedly denies, downplays, or deflects criticism concerning ocean pollution. He rejected the manipulation of beach water-quality data and said that some high sewage-pollution readings were recorded during periods of heavy rainfall.
The official disagreed with a remark by discussion moderator Peter-Louis Myburgh that surfers in certain areas swim amid faecal contamination. Oelofse, who described himself as a regular surfer, said that Cape Town’s coastline has problems but, according to him, remains suitable for surfing, diving, and swimming most of the time.
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Water infrastructure problems
Neil Macleod, the former head of the water and sanitation department of the eThekwini municipality, linked South Africa’s water-management problems primarily to weak governance and a lack of accountability rather than insufficient funding. According to him, decisions in large water-supply units are sometimes made without properly qualified personnel.
Sean Phillips, director-general of the national Department of Water and Sanitation, agreed with the assessment of structural problems. He stressed the need to use revenue from municipal water tariffs for the targeted financing and maintenance of infrastructure. According to him, the proposed legislative changes provide for protecting such revenue, licensing municipalities according to their level of capacity, and the national minister’s right, as a last resort, to appoint an independent water-services provider.
Ferrial Adam, executive director of the civic organization WaterCAN, called the situation a systemic crisis that, in her assessment, combines corruption, ineffective management, and weak municipalities. She said that residents of some rural communities still depend on water from streams contaminated by sewage effluent, while people in many municipal districts of eThekwini rely on water tankers.
