How Cape Town is tackling river pollution through community partnerships

The City of Cape Town has marked a significant move in its commitment to tackle river pollution and improve water quality by doubling its partnerships with community-based organisations.

Recently, the Water and Sanitation Directorate awarded R3.5 million in grant funding to 22 non-profit organisations, recognising their innovative projects aimed at enhancing environmental conditions throughout the city.

This funding initiative follows a rigorous evaluation process that reviewed 39 proposals submitted in December last year. The selected organisations demonstrated not only the ability to address water pollution in known hotspot areas but also an impressive level of community engagement and actionable plans for measurable impact in the forthcoming five months.

From increasing community clean-ups in polluted waterways to training local artisans in water conservation, the successful projects offer a diverse array of solutions tailored to the specific environmental challenges faced by different communities.

Councillor Zahid Badroodien, the Mayco Member for Water and Sanitation, emphasised the vital role of these partnerships: “By supporting our second cohort of community-led projects, we are investing in innovative, locally driven solutions that encourage active citizenry and deliver measurable improvements to river health and water and sanitation management across Cape Town,” he stated.

The City added this recent funding round has more than doubled the support for organisations since the programme’s inception in the 2024/25 financial year, illustrating a renewed focus on practical interventions slated for implementation between February and June 2026.

The selected organisations include a diverse range of initiatives aimed at fostering community involvement and creating long-lasting change.

The City said the Mosselbank River Conservation Team will focus on the rehabilitation of a key tributary, while the Environmental Monitoring Group (EMG) Trust plans to engage Mfuleni residents through river clean-ups and workshops.

Other notable initiatives include “Rethink the Stink,” which promotes responsible disposal practices via its #BinItDontFlushIt campaign, and “Save a Fishie,” an educational programme impacting 50 schools across the city.

The efforts are not just to clean the rivers but to educate and empower local residents, ensuring their active participation in safeguarding their own environments. “The City’s backing gives organisations the confidence to grow. It allows us to plan long term, invest in better equipment and educational materials, and reach more communities,” said Zoë Prinsloo from Save a Fishie, highlighting the transformative power of these partnerships.

Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.

Cape Argus