The Rietvlei waterbody, located in the Table Bay Nature Reserve, is open again for intermediate recreational use. This is according to the City of Cape Town administration. The public slipway and pier, however, will remain closed until further notice.
The City of Cape Town administration closed Rietvlei on 24 June 2021 as a precautionary measure following water quality concerns.
Over the past four months, the City has undertaken continuous water quality testing at various points within the Rietvlei. During this time the test results showed persistent high levels of faecal coliforms (Escherichia coli) within the waterbody, which indicated an elevated risk to human health.
The latest test results have now confirmed that 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.
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The public slipway and pier, however, remain closed to the public due to higher levels of E. coli in close proximity to these points. Users are requested to please adhere to the signage.
The public is advised to access the Rietvlei via the Milnerton Aquatic Club (MAC) slipway and pier instead. During this time there will be no additional payment required from non-MAC members entering the Rietvlei via the MAC access points. Users must please take note that no vessel larger than 5,5 meters will be able to access the Rietvlei at the MAC slipway due to water depth limitations.
The City will open the public slipway and pier once sampling results confirm the levels are within the national recreational water use guidelines.
All other aquatic sections of the Table Bay Nature Reserve including the Diep River, Milnerton Lagoon and estuary remain closed to the public. These sections still show elevated E. coli counts.
The City will keep on monitoring the water quality at Rietvlei, the public slipway and pier, and other aquatic sections.
