AfriForum’s blue and green drop project: Western Cape’s water quality tested

AfriForum’s national blue and green drop project focuses on the quality of the drinking water and sewage plants of towns. The project does not necessarily focus on the condition of the sewage plant itself, but rather on the quality of water released after the process as end result in the form of drinking water (blue drop) and treated sewage (green drop).

During May and June 2017, AfriForum tested the water of a number of towns and areas in the Western Cape to determine the quality of the municipal drinking and sewage water.

Overstrand   

Here it was established that the drinking water of Pearly Beach, Gans Bay, Sand Bay, Kleinmond, Betty’s Bay and Rooiels is clean and contains no heavy metals, while bacteria levels adhere to applicable standards. However, the civil rights organisation expressed its concern regarding the sewage water of Sand Bay seeing as it does not adhere to applicable standards.

The Onrus lagoon also shows signs of sewage water that does not adhere to applicable standards. “The problem with the Onrus lagoon is widely known and we will continuously place pressure on the municipality to ensure a healthy environment for residents,” says Thomas van Dalen, AfriForum’s Provincial Coordinator for the Western Cape.

George and Mossel Bay

It was established that the drinking and sewage water of George and Mossel Bay is clean and contains no heavy metals, while bacteria levels adhere to applicable standards.

However, there is some concern regarding the high levels of bacteria present in the Hartenbos River, while the water treatment plants show very low levels of bacteria. According to Louis Cook, Chairperson of the AfriForum branch in Mossel Bay, the water of the water treatment plants is being dumped into the Hartenbos River, of which the estuary is closed.

Hessequa and Oudtshoorn

The drinking and sewage water of the Hessequa region (which includes Riversdale, Still Bay and Heidelberg) as well as Oudtshoorn was tested and it was established that it is clean and contains no heavy metals, while bacteria levels adhere to applicable standards.

Cape Town   

Tests established that the drinking and sewage water of Cape Town is clean, does not contain any heavy metals, as well as that bacteria levels adhere to applicable standards. However, there is some concern regarding the Swart River, which shows prominent levels of bacteria.

Matzikama Local Municipality    

AfriForum’s tests established that the drinking water of Lutzville, Vredendal, Klawer and Vanrhynsdorp is clean and contains no heavy metals, while bacteria levels adhere to applicable standards.

However, there is some concern regarding the sewage water of Lutzville, Vredendal South, Klawer and Vanrhynsdorp which does not adhere to applicable standards.