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| Milnerton / Woodbridge Island Pollution Status Report August 2025 |
- Background & Geographic Context
- Pollution Sources & Drivers
- Health, Environmental & Community Impacts
- Government Response & Infrastructure Upgrades
- Monitoring, Communication & Transparency
- Outlook & Recommended Actions
- Summary
- References
- Report Compiler
- Disclaimer
Milnerton Lagoon, formed by the mouth of the Diep River, lies adjacent to Milnerton and is separated from the ocean by a narrow peninsula housing Woodbridge Island—connected to the mainland by both a heritage wooden bridge and a newer vehicle bridge (Wikipedia, 2025) (Wikipedia).
Historically, Milnerton Lagoon is among Cape Town’s most polluted water bodies: referred to locally as “particularly disgusting,” due to severe contamination from sewage and industrial effluent (GroundUp, 2024) (GroundUp News).
2. Pollution Sources & Drivers2.1 Sewage Infrastructure Failures
Sewer collapses along key arteries during mid-2024 (July to September) resulted in raw sewage being diverted into stormwater systems—which then discharged into the lagoon (GroundUp, Dec 2024)(GroundUp News). Rehabilitation work in October 2024 inadvertently exacerbated contamination through overflows into stormwater drains (GroundUp, Dec 2024) (GroundUp News).
2.2 Potsdam WWTW DischargesNon-compliant effluent from the Potsdam Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) has been a longstanding issue. In water samples from September (year unspecified), E. coli counts reached 99 000 cfu/100 ml at Loxton Road Bridge and 5 000 cfu/100 ml at the lagoon mouth—exceeding safe contact thresholds (GroundUp, 2018) (GroundUp News).
2.3 Socio-Environmental PressuresRapid urbanization, informal settlement growth, and weak spatial planning have intensified pressure on sanitation systems in the region (Freedom Front Plus, 2025) (VF Plus). Informal settlements like Joe Slovo exacerbate pollution through inadequate sanitation infrastructure, as highlighted by OUTA and civil society monitoring (WaterCAN) (Watercan).
3. Health, Environmental & Community ImpactsResidents have reported widespread respiratory and ocular complaints—particularly sinusitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma exacerbations—attributed to foul odors and suspected exposure to hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) emanating from the lagoon (Milnerton Central Residents Association, 2023) (IOL).
3.2 Ecological DegradationRepeated fish die-offs have been observed—one instance involved approximately 500 Liza richardsoni wash-ups, likely due to oxygen depletion linked to algal blooms and sewage loading (Milnerton Central Residents Association, 2023) (Milnerton Central Residents Association). Overall, the estuary is described as “effectively dead” from years of ecological collapse (Daily Maverick, 2025) (Daily Maverick).
3.3 Civic Pushback & Governance StrainEnvironmental advocates such as RethinkTheStink and residents highlight the stagnation in government response, with property values declining amid rate increases and persistent pollution (RethinkTheStink, 2025) (Rethink the Stink). Legal contention surrounds the issuance of deadline extensions by the Western Cape MEC, perceived by activists as undermining regulatory enforcement (IOL/Cape Argus, 2025) (IOL).
4. Government Response & Infrastructure Upgrades- 4.1 Major Rehabilitation Initiatives
Potsdam Wastewater Treatment Works
In August 2023, the City initiated a R5.2 billion upgrade aimed at doubling capacity (from 47 to 100 million litres/day) and improving effluent quality; operational trials are projected by 2026, with full completion in 2027 (Milnerton Central Residents Association, 2023; Cape Town Today, 2023) (Milnerton Central Residents Association, Cape Town Today).
The Democratic Alliance confirmed the upgrade as the Western Cape's second-largest infrastructure push (Polity, 2023) (Polity.org.za).
Koeberg Pump Station & Sewer Rehabilitation
Efforts include maintenance, manual screens, new pumps, alarm systems, added impellers, and long-term constructs like an emergency overflow pond (Cape Town Today, 2024) (Cape Town Today). Additionally, interventions extend to managing contamination at Ryan’s Pond and improving stormwater-sewer separation around Montague Drive (Cape Town Today, 2024) (Cape Town Today).
- 4.2 Governance & Timeline Extensions
In May 2025, MEC Anton Bredell granted extensions to the City of Cape Town:
- Potsdam WWTW upgrade: from August 2025 to December 31, 2027
- Koeberg Pump Station Phase 1: extended to June 30, 2025
- Koeberg Pump Station full upgrade: extended to December 31, 2028 (Daily Maverick, 2025)(Daily Maverick)
Environmental groups objected, citing a 2021 directive that disallowed further extensions without high-court approval—raising concerns about executive overreach under Section 47C of NEMA (IOL, 2025) (IOL, Daily Maverick).
City authorities argue that delays were due to contractual, geotechnical, vandalism, and logistical setbacks—and that monthly progress reports are being submitted to relevant departments (Daily Maverick, 2025; IOL, 2025) (Daily Maverick, IOL).
5. Monitoring, Communication & TransparencyMonitoring transparency has been a critical concern. In April 2025, RethinkTheStink criticized rate hikes given the ongoing environmental degradation and poor communication from City Health (RethinkTheStink, 2025) (Rethink the Stink).
In broader media, Project Blue - a citizen science effort - detected elevated E. coli and enterococci levels at blue-flag beaches, prompting heated debate over monitoring methodologies and accreditation (The Guardian, 2025) (The Guardian). The City counters with claims of robust monitoring and transparent reporting (The Guardian, 2025) (The Guardian).
6. Outlook & Recommended ActionsShort-Term (By late 2025)
- Intensify interim interventions—such as aeration, bio-remediation, and improved sludge management (Smile FM, 2022) (Smile 90.4FM).
- Enhance community access to real-time data on lagoon health and air quality.
Medium-Term (2026–2027)
- Complete the Potsdam WWTW upgrade.
- Ensure Koeberg Pump Station upgrades progress punctually.
- Ramp up bulk sewer rehabilitation - particularly in Montague Drive and informal settlement-adjacent areas.
Long-Term (2028+)
- Execute ecological restoration, including dredging to remove decades of contaminated sediment (Cape Town Today, 2023) (Cape Town Today).
- Rebuild public trust via increased transparency, stakeholder engagement, and stringent enforcement of NEMA directives.
7. Summary
Milnerton Lagoon and Woodbridge Island remain emblematic of Cape Town’s environmental crisis, with sewage pollution, health risks, and ecological breakdown dominating the landscape. Infrastructure upgrades are underway, yet hampered by delays, logistical setbacks, and contestation over regulatory compliance and transparency. Turning the tide will require diligent execution of upgrades, genuine public accountability, and long-term commitment to environmental rehabilitation.
8. ReferencesCape Town Today (2023, August 4). Cape Town’s plan for environmental restoration and infrastructure upgrades. Retrieved from Cape Town Today (Cape Town Today)
Cape Town Today (2024, September 24). Milnerton Lagoon: Pioneering sustainable water management solutions. Retrieved from Cape Town Today (Cape Town Today)
Daily Maverick (2025, May 25). Milnerton Lagoon pollution rehabilitation timeline further extended. Retrieved from Daily Maverick (Daily Maverick)
Freedom Front Plus (2025, March 3). Milnerton Lagoon: Overpopulation and poor spatial planning threaten Cape Town’s future. Retrieved from VF Plus (VF Plus)
GroundUp (2024, December 13). Sewage stench lingers at Milnerton Lagoon. Retrieved from GroundUp (GroundUp News)
GroundUp (2018, date unspecified). Polluted Milnerton Lagoon “particularly disgusting”. Retrieved from GroundUp (GroundUp News)
IOL (2025, May 19). Extension granted to fix “stinky” Milnerton Lagoon. Retrieved from IOL (via Cape Argus) (IOL)
Milnerton Central Residents Association (2023, August 1). City of Cape Town finally launches project to restore heavily polluted Milnerton Lagoon environment. Retrieved from MCRA (Milnerton Central Residents Association)
Polity (2023, date unspecified). Milnerton Lagoon update: Cape Town takes bold steps toward restoration. Retrieved from Polity (Polity.org.za)
Project Blue coverage in The Guardian (2025, April 17). Kicking up a stink: row over sewage pollution blighting Cape Town’s beaches. Retrieved from The Guardian (The Guardian)
RethinkTheStink (2025, April 30). Milnerton pollution continues unabated, but rates go up… Retrieved from RethinkTheStink (Rethink the Stink)
Smile 90.4FM (2022, December 1). Interventions to help tackle pollution at Milnerton Lagoon. Retrieved from Smile FM (Smile 90.4FM)
WaterCAN (date unspecified). Cape Town pollution: Milnerton / Joe Slovo. Retrieved from WaterCAN (Watercan)
Wikipedia (2025, last month). Milnerton. Retrieved from Wikipedia (Wikipedia)
9. Report Compiler: ChatGPT 30 August 2025
10. Disclaimer
The 'Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island Pollution Status Report August 2025' was compiled by ChatGPT on the request of Vernon Chalmers Photography. Vernon Chalmers Photography was not instructed by any person, public / private organisation or 3rd party to request compilation and / or publication of the report on the Vernon Chalmers Photography website.
This independent status report is based on information available at the time of its preparation and is provided for informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and completeness, errors and omissions may occur. The compiler of this Pollution Report (ChatGPT 2025) and / or Vernon Chalmers Photography (in the capacity as report requester) disclaim any liability for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions and will not be held responsible for any decisions made based on this information.
More Information (Water Quality Updates Milnerton Lagoon, Woodbridge Island)
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