The City of Cape Town wants to inform residents and visitors that the Rietvlei waterbody, located in the Table Bay Nature Reserve, is closed to the public until further notice.

The City closed the Rietvlei waterbody earlier this morning as a precautionary measure following water quality concerns.

The City undertakes continuous water quality testing at various points within the Rietvlei. The latest test results received yesterday evening, 28 December 2021, show high levels of faecal coliforms (Escherichia coli) within the waterbody, which indicate an elevated risk to human health.

Unfortunately, the Rietvlei will remain closed until such time as the E. coli count has sufficiently improved within the main waterbody, and is within the allowable threshold levels for intermediate contact at various points within the Rietvlei.

The City is currently investigating the causes of the recent increase in the E. coli count. We apologise for the inconvenience, and can confirm that this is a top priority and is receiving our highest attention.

The City also wants to remind the public that all other aquatic sections of the Table Bay Nature Reserve including the Diep River, Milnerton Lagoon and estuary remain closed to the public due to elevated E. coli counts.

The terrestrial sections of the Table Bay Nature Reserve, however, remain open to the public.

The City will keep on monitoring the water quality at Rietvlei, the public slipway and pier, and other aquatic sections.

We want to thank the public for their ongoing support and cooperation.

Source: City Of Cape Town