Testing found E. coli levels 772% above the benchmark in a large South African city

Many cities and towns in the Eastern Cape suffer from sewage pollution, threatening public health and tourism across the province.

The South African Human Rights Commission tabled its investigative report into recreational water quality and wastewater infrastructure failures this week.

The report stated that sewage pollution is a human-rights crisis threatening dignity, public health, livelihoods, tourism, and the environment.

In Nelson Mandela Bay, the report records serious pollution pressure in the Baakens and Chatty river systems.

Municipal testing found E. coli levels 772% above the recreational-water benchmark at New Brighton Beach and 180% above the benchmark at Hobie Beach.

These findings require urgent source investigation, sustained monitoring, and public warnings when water may be unsafe.

In Buffalo City, the West Bank Wastewater Treatment Facility recorded E. coli of 616,000 per 100 ml.

It also pointed to organic pollution and near-total oxygen depletion consistent with raw or inadequately treated wastewater.

The municipality failed to provide the requested monitoring and corrective action records.

These problems are not new. Wastewater failures across the Eastern Cape have been present for over a decade.

Vicky Knoetze, a DA Member of the Provincial Legislature, highlighted many of the problems they tried to address over the years.

In KwaMaqoma, sewage flowing into the Kat River culminated in Amathole District Municipality receiving a suspended R3 million fine in 2023.

The conditions included repairing pump stations, improving security, monitoring effluent, and appointing an independent auditor.

In Inxuba Yethemba, untreated sewage entering the Great Fish River prompted an investigation into the issue.

The Chris Hani District Municipality is committed to clearing blocked lines, repairing damaged infrastructure, restoring treatment units, and planning bulk upgrades.

In Makana, the DA laid criminal charges and referred the wastewater crisis to the SAHRC and other authorities.

In Koukamma, the DA also laid criminal charges after documenting raw sewage flowing through Kagiso Heights and into the Krom River system.

“The province cannot continue treating every failed treatment work, collapsed pump station, and polluted river as an isolated emergency,” Knoetze said.

To resolve these problems, she called for transparent, coordinated enforcement to ensure that undertakings are implemented and failing municipalities face consequences.