As the peak holiday season approaches, Hout Bay Beach’s water quality remains a health risk for swimmers, a scientist and ocean activists told a public meeting this week.

More than 100 people attended the Bays of Sewage meeting, held at Kronendal Primary School, on Tuesday evening.

Stellenbosch University epidemiologist Dr Jo Barnes stressed that different bacteria could last for up to one or two weeks in the water.

“People don’t necessarily make the link, when they have skin, ear or nose infections or diarrhoea, that they’ve been to the beach the last Sunday when they get ill the following Thursday. But people expect to feel sick within 24 hours, and this is a great misunderstanding.

“Very often, the water link to someone getting an infection is not noted on their medical record... Disposing of sewage in dangerous methods causes more ripple effects than people are aware of. We do not need potentially avoidable cases at our public hospitals that are already so full,“ Dr Barnes said.

Previously, Sentinel reported that the City was facing possible criminal charges for allegedly pumping excessive amounts of sewage into the sea from the Hout Bay marine outfall (“City faces criminal charges over sewage,” November 21).

This followed a Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) investigation into the City’s three marine outfalls, namely Camps Bay, Green Point and Hout Bay.

This week, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila told the Sentinel that the NPA had declined to prosecute the City at this time.

“The City still has enough time to comply with the stipulated compliances and reporting requirements. Should there still be non-compliance on permit requirements where the department provided clarity on fulfilling these requirements, prosecution can be initiated in the new year.“

Mr Ntabazalila added: “The current charges relate not to exceeding the amount of effluent discharged into the ocean but rather it relates to other compliance and reporting requirements.”

At the meeting, Freedom Front Plus councillor and Hout Bay ocean activist Paul Jacobsen said: “A few weeks ago, deputy mayor Eddie Andrews made a very irresponsible comment that water testing is done daily at the bay. At the very best, water testing is done by the City every two weeks or once a month.”

No City officials attended the Bays of Sewage public meeting.

Last week, ward councillor Roberto Quintas said he was aware of the meeting but declined to attend when Sentinel enquired.

“I am aware of the meeting being called by Councillor Jacobsen. However, it is unlikely I will be attending. The City will host its own factual information day.”

Mayoral committee member for water and sanitation Dr Councillor Zahid Badroodien said the City’s meeting, which was due to be held at the Hout Bay library, on Wednesday evening, after the Sentinel’s print deadline, would discuss “the outcomes of the coastal water quality results as well as the preferred proposed option for marine outfall upgrades to be considered by the City”.

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Call to tackle harbour pollution

Hout Bay Beach water quality still in doubt