The Soet River is in a catastrophic state due to severe pollution, and recent storms have washed massive amounts of litter onto the Strand coastline,
The litter includes large items such as carcasses of pigs, television sets and car parts. The stench is overwhelming, and the plastic pollution so severe it cannot be recycled.
However, there seems to be hope on the horizon, as ongoing efforts by the City of Cape Town, private entities, residents’ associations and organisations such as Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement (Hoam) are tackling the issue head-on – and with some innovative tactics too!
The river originates in the Hottentots-Holland Mountains and runs through Strand, adjacent and under Boundary Road, and eventually into the ocean at the eastern end of Beach Road. For years it has been highlighted as an area of concern (“Stench at Soet River irks many”, DistrictMail, 30 March 2020). The issue was highlighted again last year
“During the high rainfall and storms this past month, the amount of litter that kissed the shores from the Strand tidal pool to Cayman Beach was horrifying,” stated Lisa Starr, founder of Hoam, adding that the movement has been working tirelessly to clean up the mess, but are overwhelmed by the scale of the problem. They are collaborating with local authorities and community groups to find solutions.
Huge health risk
“The root cause is identified as widespread littering and not enough waste management in the surrounding communities, exacerbated by illegal settlements,” said Starr. “We are advocating for increased recycling facilities, community education, and enforcement of environmental regulations.
“The situation poses a significant health risk to humans and marine life, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive action to protect the environment.”
According to Dave Walker, chairperson of the Greenways Homeowners’ Association, the estate has borne the brunt of the Soet River pollution, which has worsened over the past five years. But recently they’ve made a breakthrough in dealing with the effects it has along the riverbed in Greenways.
“We’ve spent upwards of R1,5 million in tackling this issue,” said Walker, who elaborated that a pilot project involving the creation of a bio-retention pond had yielded impressive results.
“By filtering river water through the pond, we successfully removed a significant amount of sludge and debris, restoring the riverbed to its natural state. The project has attracted the attention of the City, which is considering implementing similar initiatives in other areas.”
Despite ongoing challenges the community group has made significant strides in improving water quality and reducing litter in the area.
While acknowledging the City’s efforts in cleaning up solid waste, Walker highlighted the persistent issue of debris flowing into the river and ending up on the beach.
To address this, Greenways has invested substantial resources in innovative water-treatment solutions. The introduction of nano-bubble technology, combined with environmentally-friendly agents, has led to a noticeable improvement in water quality over the past five years.
Fish and bird populations have returned to the area, indicating a healthier ecosystem.
Recognising the importance of community involvement, Greenways has organised regular clean-up initiatives and employed additional staff to manage litter. The association is also collaborating with the City to increase the number of waste containers and implement stricter waste management practices.
Tackling river pollution
Despite these achievements, the association emphasises the need for ongoing support and collaboration to tackle the complex issue of river pollution. By sharing their experiences and knowledge, the community hopes to inspire others to join the fight for a cleaner environment.
According to Subcouncil 8 chairperson Chantal Cerfontein, while the City is committed to improving the Soet River’s condition, substantial progress depends on addressing the root causes of pollution, including informal settlements and community behaviour.
“The primary causes are identified as illegal dumping, sewage overflows, industrial effluent, and animal waste,” she said. “The City is taking steps to address the issue.”
Cerfrontein cited interventions such as clean-up efforts comprising regular waste collection, canal cleaning and pilot bio-remediation projects underway. “A Soet River Catchment Forum has been established to involve stakeholders in finding solutions, and the City is investigating canal closures and waste recycling initiatives. However, significant challenges persist.”
She explained that resource constraints hindered the frequency of clean-ups and implementation of broader solutions, while expansion of informal settlements exacerbated the pollution problem. “Changing residents’ attitudes to waste disposal is essential for long-term improvement.”
