The City of Cape Town has announced the temporary closure of the Zandvlei estuary after water samples revealed E. coli levels exceeding 4 000 CFU/100ml, posing a significant health risk to the public.
As a result, all recreational water activities have been halted, particularly in the area opposite the Imperial Yacht Club in Muizenberg.
The contamination level is well above the safety threshold for intermediate contact recreation, prompting immediate concern from both city officials and environmental watchdogs.
According to the city, the primary source of pollution appears to be inflows from the Sand River Canal, which are likely transporting contaminants from urban runoff during the winter rainfall season.
“Zandvlei will remain closed until water quality returns to acceptable levels,” the city confirmed, adding that investigations are ongoing.
Broader environmental concerns
Zandvlei is False Bay’s only functioning estuary, stretching from the Constantia mountains to Muizenberg beach.
Its ecological and recreational importance makes the contamination especially troubling.
Environmental advocates say the estuary’s condition is symptomatic of a broader problem affecting many of Cape Town’s urban water bodies.
Jennifer Louw, chairperson of the Catchment Forum, said the estuary’s pollution highlights the need for a comprehensive Catchment Management Plan and improved enforcement.
“We must aim high. Only this way can we achieve improvements,” said Louw.
She stressed the goal of lifting Zandvlei’s ecological status from a level D (poor) to level B (good), but warned this will require coordinated, long-term intervention.
Pollution in Zandvlei is largely due to stormwater runoff, which carries waste from roads, roofs, and other hard surfaces directly into the estuary system.
During the rainy season, this runoff intensifies, flushing more pollutants into the water.
Impact on Muizenberg and local businesses
There is growing concern about the impact on local tourism, especially for businesses along Muizenberg beach, which rely heavily on water-based recreation.
The contamination also raises health concerns for surfers and swimmers, as estuary water eventually feeds into the adjacent ocean.
While no formal advisory has yet been issued for Muizenberg beach, the proximity of the estuary outflow has prompted calls for caution among beachgoers.
When last did you visit Zandvlei estuary?
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