Zeekoevlei has been closed to the public following a massive sewage spill that allegedly started on Thursday last week.
Zeekoevlei becomes the third recreational vlei to be closed to the public due to a sewage spill.
According to IOL, the Rietvlei was closed last week Sunday, while the Zandvlei waterbody was closed on May 25.
Friends of Zeekoevlei and Rondevlei vice-chairperson Tom Schwerdtfeger said this was the fourth major spill within a year in the vlei.
He said that volunteers were deployed to assist with the conservation of the endangered western leopard toad.
Schwerdtfeger added that the toad breeding season is expected to begin in the next two months, but would not reap success if the water quality was not addressed.
Mayco member for water and waste Xanthea Limberg said the main cause of the overflow was not yet clear, however, various factors could be contributing to some degree.
“The City is currently using temporary pumps at the inlet works of the Cape Flats Wastewater Treatment Works while permanent pumps are in for repairs. Three of the four permanent pumps have experienced mechanical failure due to dumping into sewers.”
“Currently, everything from plastic to nappies to large objects like steel drums and gas cylinders can be seen jammed into the remaining screw pump. These will be cleared as soon as sump levels drop,” she said.
Apparently massive sewage spill into Zeekoevlei on its eastern shore- since Thursday last week! This is a @RamsarConv site!! Please @CityofCT take action NOW and stop this spill. This is at least the third one in the last year. pic.twitter.com/sJtw2027b6
— Helen Lockhart (@2OceansHelen) July 6, 2021