Camps Bay Beach, Glen Beach and the Camps Bay Tidal Pool will be closed to the public until further notice, after the Camps Bay Marine Outfall experienced pump failure last night.

This has resulted in the flooding of the pump station rendering it out of operation.

Water samples will be taken at all locations to monitor the pollution. The beaches will reopen only when water sampling indicates a return to normal levels.

Signage will be erected in the area at both beaches and the tidal pool, advising the public of the situation.

It is suspected that the cause of the failure of the two main pumps at the Camps Bay Marine Outfall could be related to an electrical fault resulting from the frequent power outages. The Water and Sanitation Department team is addressing the pump failure and will do a full assessment as to the root cause thereof.

The teams have attempted to use vacuum trucks. Due to the huge volume, the sewage will have to be discharged from the pump station out to sea as a temporary measure. Pumping directly into the sea will also eliminate the sewage flow across the beach. This will enable the team to restore the pump station operation as soon as possible.

Residents and businesses in the Camps Bay area and surrounds are kindly requested to reduce their generation of wastewater by reducing the utilisation of washing machines and dishwashers and to only flush their toilets when necessary until further notification is issued.