Mouille Point to smell sweeter for World Cup

Cape Town has promised that the stench often hanging over Mouille Point will be gone before the World Cup. Residents have complained about the smell coming from the Green Point marine sewer outfall pump station and a pipe that runs into the sea.

They are also concerned that an increase in visitors for the World Cup will put further pressure on the system which serves a densely populated area from Woodstock to Bantry Bay.

But the city says a R20 million upgrade is under way and will be completed in time for the tournament.

Marco van Embden, chairman of the Mouille Point Residents and Ratepayers Association, said he sent a letter to the city last week. "Residents have been complaining about the smell and it seems to be getting worse. We hope we don't have this horrible smell during the World Cup."

Kevin Samson, manager of Wastewater in the city, said the Department of Water Affairs permitted an average daily discharge of 30 million litres of screened sewage into the sea via a submarine pipeline. He said contractors had been instructed to limit the noise, odour and visible impact of the operation.

"The new odour control system will be commissioned in May and will significantly minimise the emission of malodours. Currently there is a temporary odour control system in place to minimise the malodours."

Meanwhile, a new sewage pumping station and inlet works is under construction to replace the ageing Monwabisi Pump Station.

The new pump station, costing about R32m, will be finished by the end of June and will solve the occasional problems with pollution.

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