Blouberg, Blaauwberg, Cape Town – South Africa

From 14 January 2010, the City of Cape Town will be withdrawing the Blue Flag status granted to Big Bay Beach amid various water management issues. Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services, Cllr. Gerhard Ras says “the City will continue to provide and improve upon the safety and infrastructural services provided at the beach, but it will not fly the Blue Flag”. Instead, Big Bay will once again be managed as a pilot Blue Flag beach until the situation has been resolved. This will ensure the continuation of services and maintenance of standards set by the Blue Flag Programme.

Concerns about Big Bay Beach first arose last year when a foul-smelling layer of green sludge coating the surface of the beach and a continual dampness of the beach sand were reported. These observations were made in the area directly opposite the Big Bay Surf Lifesaving Clubhouse and in front of the Big Bay development. The influx of such reports to City offices intensified following Big Bay’s award of Blue Flag status in October 2009. The City discussed the matter with the managing agency for Blue Flag in South Africa: the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA). Following a routine inspection by WESSA, the Blue Flag status was temporarily suspended, and WESSA committed to providing direction and assistance. This suspension was valid pending the City’s own investigations and the implementation of a plan of action.

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(photo: Green Beach: Environmentalist Louis Raubenheimer points to the green algae formed on Big Bay beach because of fresh water flows from stormwater pipes. photo credit)