Zandvlei Trust
Cape
Flats Waste Water Treatment Works
photograph by Rob Lith
The Capes Flats Waste Water Treatment Works (known as Strandfontein) has a number of oxidation ponds which are utilized by vast amounts of birds. It comprises 380ha of aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
- This is the 5th most important waterbird site in South Africa in terms of numbers and requires immediate conservation action. (Ostrich, March 2001, Scientific Journal of BirdLife South Africa)
- There are 5 major aquatic habitat types at Strandfontein, which also has terrestrial habitats.
- Strandfontein provides greater diversity of aquatic habitats than is available anywhere on the Cape Flats.
- Zandvlei and Rondevlei are important nearby Wetlands which are interdependant with Strandfontein for breeding birds.
- Strandfontein should have legal protection, suggested by (Cooper 1976, Summers 1977, Ashkenazi 1986 et al ) and still no progress with the Waste Water Works. The Cape Bird Club Conservation Committee has been actively trying to formally establish the False Bay Coastal Park for many years.
- Scientists have advocated a Management plan over a number of years. It would promote ecotourism, and provide useful information for education and science.
- The proposed road would remove 25% of the oxidation pans from this area.
- Who knows what effect this could have on the bird and other populations?
Autumn 2004, Dave Whitelaw and John Yeld at one of the pans with a good
collection of water birds.
