Cape Town beach update: Hout Bay Beach now open

Hout Bay beach has officially reopened to the public following its closure last week due to sewage issues.

By: Storm Simpson

Hout Bay beach was reopened to the public on Saturday, 14 January, by the City of Cape Town. The beach was closed as a precautionary measure on Wednesday while the source of “possible pollution” was investigated.

HOUT BAY BEACH REOPENED

The investigation found that sewer reticulation pipes and a bulk stormwater pipe were blocked with foreign objects, including litter, rags, carpets, pieces of carcasses, stones, bricks and even cutlery.

The stormwater pipe also had illegal sewer connections. The blockage caused an overflow at the stormwater-to-sewer diversion chamber in the Hout Bay area.

“The City’s Roads and Infrastructure Management and Water and Sanitation Departments collectively addressed the blockage and cleaned the stormwater-to-sewer low-flow diversion chambers. The City continues to monitor this situation,” said the City.

Water samples taken at Hout Bay Beach show that it is safe for recreational activities. Health signage, which warned of the closure, has been removed.

On Friday, Dalebrook Tidal pool and the adjacent beach area in Kalk Bay was also reopened.

As previously reported, City has blamed the sewer overflows at beaches across Cape Town on the rampant load shedding. According to GroundUp, eight beaches have been closed over the last month – some more than once.

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