City of Cape Town sewage disposal and wastewater treatment; with Ministry

Minister Majodina expressed concern over declining municipal wastewater performance due to poor governance, unqualified personnel, and low prioritisation. The DWS presentation focused on compliance, enforcement actions, and CoCT’s response to a pollution notice, emphasising stricter regulatory measures to prevent further water pollution. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) outlined municipal responsibilities, sewage pollution risks, and national wastewater performance declines. Despite Cape Town’s strong 88% Green Drop score, some WWTWs exceed capacity. Stricter regulations under the Water Services Amendment Bill will enforce compliance. City of Cape Town (CoCT) officials detailed operations, challenges like sewer blockages and pump failures, and an R6.1 billion investment in infrastructure upgrades. Marine outfalls show minimal impact, and potable reuse projects aim to enhance water security. Long-term plans focus on resilience, compliance, and sustainability. The committee raised concerns about the frequency and transparency of CoCT reports on water quality, the status of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the DWS and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), and whether CoCT was using artificial intelligence for monitoring. CoCT representatives confirmed regular reporting, ongoing monitoring, and plans to integrate AI. The CoCT highlighted challenges in wastewater infrastructure, including ageing systems, system failures, and security issues due to gang activity. CoCT outlined plans to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities, replace ageing infrastructure, and allocate significant funding for improvements. There were concerns about sewage spillages in townships, particularly in winter, and the long-term effects of chemicals in water sources. CoCT noted difficulties in filtering certain chemicals and the need for accredited local laboratories for testing. The committee discussed issues of legal and compliance issues, particularly regarding marine outfalls, pollution enforcement, and non-compliance in certain areas. The committee questioned whether authorities were holding polluting companies accountable and whether penalties were being enforced. CoCT confirmed that marine outfall refurbishments were budgeted for and that feasibility studies were ongoing. The committee discussed broader environmental and economic concerns, including the need for a circular economy approach to wastewater treatment, sludge reuse, and public education on pollution. Concerns about plastic pollution and its impact on water quality were raised, with calls for greater government intervention. The meeting concluded with assurances from officials that efforts were being made to address infrastructure challenges, improve monitoring, and ensure compliance with environmental standards.