The City of Cape Town has provided an update on temporary beach closures due to a sewage issue.
Small Bay and Strand Beach reopen
Small Bay and the affected section of Strand Beach in Blaauwberg reopened on January 3, after both affected areas were closed as a precautionary measure on January 1.
The Deep Blue section of Strand beach was closed due to an electrical fault at the pump station, but the issue has since been resolved.
Small Bay was closed due to a damaged sewer pipe. The damaged pipe section was isolated inside the manhole, and sewer flow is being diverted by means of a mobile pump that is running 24 hours. Spillage on to the beach is contained while repairs to the damaged section will be resolved, depending on the tide timetable.
The City’s Environmental Health Service has received the recent water sampling results for Small Bay and Strand Beach and confirms that the results show that the water quality is within the minimum requirement for recreational activities as determined by the National Water Quality Guidelines.
The health warning signs have been removed.
Fish Hoek Beach reopens
The main bathing area section at Fish Hoek Beach between the lifeguard station and Jager Walk reopened yesterday (January 4).
The temporary closure was due to a sewer overflow caused by a blocked sewer pipe that was cleared. Items such as plastics and materials were removed from the sewer pipe.
Part of Gordon’s Bay Beach closed until further notice
The section of Gordon’s Bay Beach between the walkway and area in front of Spur has been closed until further notice (see the map below):
The temporary closure is due to a sewage overflow in the area related to a sewage pump station that tripped because inappropriate materials had been thrown into the local sewer network yet again.
The pumps are being serviced and mitigation measures have been implemented in the meantime to maintain the sewer operations.
Various city departments have been activated to respond to this incident.
As a precaution, this section of the beach is closed until further notice.
City Health will be taking water samples on a daily basis for water quality testing until such time as the levels are within the minimum requirement for recreational activities as determined by the National Water Quality Guidelines.
In the meantime, the public are advised to avoid contact with the water until further notice.
This is a precaution as contact with the water could result in potential gastro-intestinal issues. Anyone entering the water does so at their own risk.
Health warning signage has been erected, advising the public accordingly.
