Cape Town - The City has refuted claims it “irresponsibly” removed a sign warning beachgoers in Hout Bay of potentially polluted water.
This, after the municipality came under fire for reportedly removing the sign.
Freedom Front Plus councillor, Paul Jacobson, blasted the City for the alleged action, saying it was unacceptable.
He said the decision to remove the sign could seriously jeopardise the health and safety of swimmers, surfers and paddlers.
“The City initially instructed lifeguards to erect a sign warning swimmers that the sea water is polluted and unsafe for swimming.
“However, it was removed soon after the FF Plus brought the serious sewage pollution of the City’s swimming beaches to the public’s attention.”
Jacobson referenced Dr Jo Barnes, an epidemiologist and senior lecturer at the Stellenbosch University’s Department for Global Health, Health Systems and Public Health, who recently found, in an independent study, that the Disa River, which flows into Hout Bay Beach, has high levels of E.coli.
Jacobson said: “As far as the pollution of Hout Bay Beach is concerned, it is ironic that a mere 100m from where the initial warning sign was removed a permanent sign has been erected warning that the water is polluted, that it poses a health risk and that it should be used at one’s own risk.
“With the December holidays just around the corner, thousands of residents and visitors will flock to Hout Bay Beach without realising that they are exposing themselves to risks.
“In the next Council meeting, we will demand that the City takes action to erect the necessary warning signs on beaches where there is a risk of sewage pollution.
“The time has come for the City to address the constant sewage pollution of certain coastal regions spanning decades and to stop trying to cover-up the problem cosmetically,” he said.
However, in response to claims that it had irresponsibly removed the signage, the City rebutted by saying the warning sign had been placed on the beach in error by an on-duty lifeguard.
Cape Town Deputy Mayor and mayco member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews, said: “A temporary water pollution sign was installed in error by the duty lifeguard. This sign has since been removed. All the while, Hout Bay Beach has not been closed to users.
“The City currently monitors two locations weekly at Hout Bay Beach, namely the Chapman’s Peak side and the Mariner’s Wharf side.
“These are the two sides of the beach used for swimming.
“The results for these two areas are all within the range for acceptable national water quality,” Andrews said.