Water Quality of Rivers and Open Waterbodies in the City of Cape Town
WATER QUALITY OF RIVERS AND OPEN WATERBODIES IN THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN: STATUS AND HISTORICAL TRENDS, WITH A FOCUS ON THE PERIOD APRIL 2015 TO MARCH 2020 FINAL AUGUST 2020 TECHNICAL REPORT PREPARED BY Liz Day Dean Ollis Tumisho Ngobela Nick Rivers-Moore City of Cape Town Inland Water Quality Technical Report FOREWORD The City has committed itself, in its new Water Strategy, to become a Water Sensitive City by 2040. A Water Sensitive City is a city where rivers, canals and streams are accessible, inclusive and safe to use. The City is releasing this Technical Report on the quality of water in our watercourses, to promote transparency and as a spur to action to achieve this goal. While some of our 20 river catchments are in a relatively good /near natural state, there are six catchments with particularly serious challenges. Overall, the data show that we have a long way to go to achieve our goal. Where this report has revealed areas of concern, the City commits to full transparency around possible causes which need to be addressed from within the organization, however we request that residents always keep in mind the role they have to play, and take on their share of responsibility for ensuring the next report paints a more favourable picture. It is in all of our interests. On the City’s side, efforts to address water pollution are being intensified. We have drastically stepped up the upgrading of wastewater treatment works, assisted by loan funding, and are constantly working to reduce sewer overflows, improve solid waste collection/cleansing, and identify and prosecute offenders.
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