“Could this be a turning point for the Milnerton Lagoon?” That was the question posed in a recent RethinkTheStink post, highlighting the City of Cape Town’s latest efforts to improve the troubled waterway.

Important intervention

The post pointed to the start of drilling for beach wells at Milnerton Beach, describing the project as an important intervention after years of pollution pressure and calling for hope that it could be another step towards a healthier, living Milnerton Lagoon.

The City has begun drilling the first beach wells as part of a pilot project that will test whether saline groundwater from beneath the beach can be pumped into the upper lagoon to improve its environmental condition.

The RethinkTheStink campaign has continued to highlight concerns around Milnerton Lagoon, where pollution, poor water quality and unpleasant odours have long been a concern for surrounding communities. But the campaign’s message is about more than simply tackling the smell.

It calls attention to the need for solutions that address the underlying environmental problems affecting the lagoon and its ecosystem.

The new beach-well project is now being closely watched as the City tests whether changing the lagoon’s water conditions can help improve its health.

City starts drilling

Drilling began on 16 September and is expected to continue for about two weeks. Water from beneath the beach is expected to start being introduced into the upper lagoon in October.

The City says the pilot will test whether saline groundwater can be abstracted from beneath Milnerton Beach and pumped into the lagoon to improve flushing, dilute pollutant concentrations and increase dissolved oxygen and salinity.

The hope is that these changes will create more favourable conditions for the lagoon’s estuary ecosystem.

Six-month trial

Once the water starts being introduced, the project will enter a six-month monitoring and evaluation period. During the trial, the City will closely monitor water quality, environmental conditions and the technical performance of the system.

Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for Spatial Planning and Environment Eddie Andrews said the start of drilling marked an important milestone in efforts to find practical and evidence-based solutions for the lagoon.

“This is a pilot project and its purpose is to test the intervention under real conditions while carefully monitoring its environmental performance,” Andrews said.

He said the information collected during the trial would determine what happens next. “The information gathered will provide the City with evidence to determine whether the project should continue, be modified or be discontinued,” he said.

More than just the smell

For the RethinkTheStink campaign and those concerned about the lagoon, the issue goes beyond its unpleasant odour. The long-term goal is a healthier waterway capable of supporting aquatic life and functioning as an important part of the local coastal environment.

The beach wells are therefore intended to test whether improving water movement, oxygen levels and salinity can help address some of the conditions affecting the lagoon.

However, the City has stressed that this is a pilot project and that its success will only be determined through monitoring.

Environmental safeguards

The Beach Wells Project is being implemented under the requirements of a Section 28(4) Directive issued in terms of the National Environmental Management Act.

The City says construction activities will be managed in accordance with applicable environmental requirements and an approved Environmental Method Statement.

Environmental monitoring, reporting and oversight will form part of the trial.

The City will also continue working with affected stakeholders, including the Milnerton Golf Club and Sunset Links Homeowners Association.

Beachgoers have been asked to avoid the drilling areas while work is under way.

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