Reducing pollution and flooding across key parts of the Salt River catchment including, Maitland, Pinelands, Athlone, Mowbray, Observatory, Thornton and Paarden Eiland will be high on the agenda for the new Lower Salt River Catchment Management Forum (LSR-CMF) launched late last month.
The current LSR-CMF was launched on Tuesday 13 May and is the seventh catchment management forum operating within the city.
The inaugural meeting saw robust participation from residents and other stakeholders.
This saw the election of the forum’s executive committee.
Roland Postma was elected as chair and Jessleena Suri as his deputy, both of whom are members of the Friends of the Liesbeek.
The aim of the Friends of the Liesbeek is to create an awareness on the importance of the Liesbeek as a green corridor in an urban setting.
The Salt River catchment is one of the city’s three largest catchments, covering an area of 214km². It includes several rivers and tributaries, from the Liesbeek to the Vygekraal.
The quality of these watercourses is influenced by residential development, treated effluent discharges, stormwater drains and canalised sections.
Due to the size and complexity of the catchment, the City’s Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch divided the catchment into three smaller sub-catchments, which consists of the Lower Salt River catchment, Jakkelsvlei catchment and Vygekraal catchment forum areas.
Postma said the forum’s aim will be on reducing solid waste, sewage overflows, and illegal dumping, especially in areas like Paarden Eiland and Maitland.
“At the same time, we’re supporting nature-based flood resilience through projects like the Liesbeek SUDS pilot and wetland rehabilitation project, aligned with the City’s Liveable Urban Waterways programme and their Green Infrastructure Programme from Spatial Planning and Environment.”
Postma said while they are still reviewing the findings of the City’s Pollution Abatement Strategy and Action Plan, the key issues already identified include sewer pump station failures, greywater discharge from informal areas and polluted stormwater entering canals.
“These are being mapped and prioritised. We want to work closely with City officials to unblock long-standing challenges—especially around coordination, lack of enforcement, and limited funding for infrastructure upgrades.”
Postma explained that they are looking at strategies to mitigate flood risks, especially in areas like Maitland, Athlone and Paarden Eiland.
“We’re identifying flood-prone low points and advocating for nature-based solutions over traditional grey infrastructure.
“The Liesbeek SUDS pilot hasn’t been built yet, but it represents the kind of intervention we need—bioretention, swales, and infiltration systems that reduce and filter runoff, and recharge groundwater.
He adds that their bigger aim is to shift how roads and developments are designed citywide.
Postma said they will work closely with the City’s Catchment, Stormwater and River Management (CSRM) and Water and Sanitation teams to co-develop project scopes and fast-track interventions aligned with the Liveable Urban Waterways (LUW) programme.
“Our goal is to shift investment and planning toward more green infrastructure—like SUDS—rather than outdated grey systems that worsen flooding and pollution.
“We’ll also support enforcement actions around illegal dumping and greywater discharges, and push for these priorities to be embedded into everyday operational decisions.”
Postma said residents also have a role to play.
“They can help maintain green infrastructure, avoid dumping, and support efforts like verge planting or installing rain gardens. Businesses near the river are encouraged to join maintenance partnerships or adopt segments of green infrastructure.
“We will also lean on residents and businesses to help identify and connect us with key stakeholders and community champions.”
Suri, Liesbeek Maintenance Project Coordinator, said the forum will ensure continued community participation through regular clean-ups, citizen science programmes, ward-level engagement, seasonal planting days, and guided river walks.
“We’re also rolling out youth education and school partnerships that move beyond awareness into real stewardship. Beyond this, we aim to align the work of all the Catchment Forums and create a stronger platform for civil society, the public, and the private sector to play an active role in restoring and managing our urban waterways.”
“Outreach includes water testing and biodiversity surveys with learners, public walks, and joint events with partners like Friends of the Liesbeek and the Litterboom Project – the first of which is happening next week on June 5th to mark World Environment Day.”
Suri said they will monitor the progress in improving water quality by using indicators like E. coli levels, litter volumes, stormwater flow reduction, and biodiversity return.
“Monitoring will be tied into LUW goals and tracked via baseline data from restoration sites like the SUDS pilot and water testing points across the catchment, and also informed by data collected by organisations like the Litterboom Project who do vital work in diverting solid waste from waterways in the catchment.”
Zahid Badroodien, Mayco member for water and sanitation, said the establishment of this forum marks a significant milestone in the city’s ongoing commitment to preserve and enhance Cape Town’s watercourses.
Badroodien said last year, the city compiled a comprehensive Pollution Abatement Strategy and Action Plan (PASAP). This provides an overview of the entire Salt River catchment and the ambient water quality.
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