CAPE TOWN – After a recent petition gained momentum, Milnerton residents have joined forces with communities across Cape Town to urge the public to sign the ‘Stop the Sewage’ petition, calling for urgent action and accountability from the City of Cape Town over ongoing sewage pollution.
Distinguished epidemiologist Dr Jo Barnes, emeritus from Stellenbosch University’s Health Department at Tygerberg, has publicly supported the petition, issuing a strong plea to the city to address repeated sewage spills that pose serious risks to public health, livelihoods and the environment.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews and Francine Higham were formally invited to accept the petition, which highlights the widespread impacts of sewage pollution across the Helderberg, Milnerton and surrounding areas.
Health, livelihoods and daily life under threat
Ongoing sewage spills into rivers, wetlands, beaches and the ocean expose communities to harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Enterococci, while public warnings remain inconsistent or inadequate. Residents say anxiety over water quality has stripped many communities of simple recreational pleasures and compromised their wellbeing.
Tourism, hospitality and small businesses are also feeling the strain as foul odours, beach closures and pollution advisories deter visitors. Residents continue paying rates and taxes while property values decline and jobs are put at risk.
“We pay our rates every month, yet we can’t safely swim, walk near the lagoon or let our kids play on the beach,” said resident Deon Jacobs.
“This isn’t a luxury issue – it’s about basic services and public health.”
According to the petition, environmental damage caused by sewage pollution is severe and often irreversible.
“Wetlands, estuaries and marine ecosystems are degraded, seabirds and fish are killed, and Cape Town’s unique biodiversity is increasingly threatened – leaving future generations to bear the cost,” the petition reads.
Petition backed by growing number of voices
Environmentalists and conservation groups have added their voices to the growing call for action, saying the scale of pollution witnessed over the festive season reinforces the urgency of the petition.
Zoë Prinsloo, an environmental activist who participated in extensive coastal clean-ups over the holidays, said the volume of waste and pollution collected was deeply concerning.
Ayesha Davids from Sunset Beach said: “Clean-ups help, but volunteers shouldn’t be cleaning up sewage pollution caused by system failures. The city must fix the source, not just manage the fallout.”
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City responds
Leonardo Manus, executive director of Water and Sanitation, said in a recent video that work to restore Milnerton Lagoon is gathering pace, including pump station upgrades, wastewater treatment improvements and public education campaigns supported by EPWP workers.
The city said engineers were also upgrading pump stations across the catchment. Those upgrades will improve reliability and reduce sewer overflows that harm the lagoon.
While residents and conservation groups have welcomed these efforts, they stress that long-term success depends on sustained maintenance, transparent communication and a drastic reduction in sewage spills.
- For now, communities, health experts and environmentalists remain united in their call for urgent action. The petition can be signed here.
