City officials recently took to the water to experience the Diep River first-hand, part of an ongoing commitment to tackle the long-standing pollution challenges affecting the Milnerton Lagoon.
The 3 km boat trip, led by the City of Cape Town’s Environmental Management Department, began near the Blaauwberg Bridge and moved towards the lagoon mouth, providing a sobering view of the environmental pressures threatening this vital urban waterway.
According to Zahid Badroodien, Mayco member for water and sanitation, the health of the Milnerton Lagoon hinges on addressing multiple pollution sources, both upstream and downstream of the Potsdam Wastewater Treatment Works.
“The lagoon is essentially a catchment area for a variety of pollutants,” said Badroodien. “This includes run-off from informal settlements, industrial pollution, infrastructure failures and treated effluent. We know the problem is complex, and we’re working across departments to tackle it from all angles.”
Restoring trust through action
For residents, the boat trip was a visible acknowledgment that the City is not ignoring the problem. However, many believe that acknowledgment must now be followed by concrete results.
Jabu Khumalo, local business owner, said: “Pollution here doesn’t just affect the environment; it hurts local businesses and property values too. If we want a thriving community, the lagoon must be cleaned and protected.”
Emily Naidoo, local homeowner, said: “The foul smell and murky water have been a constant issue. It’s frustrating because it lowers property values and drives people away. We want real action, not empty promises.” Jason Botha, environmental enthusiast, said: “Cape Town prides itself on being a green city, but ignoring the pollution in the lagoon undermines that goal. The City needs to align its development plans with stronger environmental protections.”
Recent meeting
TygerBurger has extensively covered the ongoing concerns, highlighting how residents and environmental groups have long sounded the alarm over foul smells, murky water, and the ecological degradation of the lagoon. These concerns have sparked widespread public demand for accountability and meaningful progress.
TygerBurger recently reported on a community meeting held to address the ongoing pollution issues at Milnerton Lagoon. The meeting was organised by the City of Cape Town’s Environmental Management Department to update residents on current interventions and conditions of the lagoon.
Environmental activist group ReThinkTheStink and various organisations fighting for a solution were also present. At the meeting the City acknowledged that the lagoon’s pollution is primarily due to the accumulation of pollutants over the years, leading to sedimentation and shallowing of the lagoon.
The sulphur smell reported by residents is caused by the excessive accumulation of particulate organic matter in sediment, resulting in bacteria proliferating and using oxygen faster than it can be resupplied. The primary driver of this process is human pollution of the natural system.
The City has appointed environmental consultants to help find possible short-term interventions for the lagoon. However, ReThinkTheStink claims that the local Potsdam Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) is largely responsible for the recent stench.
Projects
The City has launched several projects aimed at improving water quality, but Badroodien admits more work is needed to transform the lagoon into a safe and livable space for surrounding communities.
As part of a renewed focus, both the City’s environment and water-and-sanitation teams are investigating new projects that promise real and more immediate impact. Their findings will be presented under the Mayoral Priority Programme: Sanitation before being made public.
“We understand the frustration,” said Badroodien, “but we are committed to transparency and urgency in implementing sustainable solutions that benefit the environment and the people.”
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