Geordin Hill-Lewis confirms Cape Town water quality after viral ‘sewage’ swim video
Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Michelle Sky Hayward enjoy a dip in the ocean.
Image: Screenshot / Instagram
Do you remember the Cape Town woman, Michelle Sky Hayward, who went viral for swimming in what many thought was sewage water?
Hayward, who eagerly shared a video of her early morning ocean swim, soon received messages of concern when viewers noticed the foamy brown water.
She was clearly enjoying her time in the icy water as she even blew bubbles, saying, “I felt like I was in a bubble bath. I felt like I was a mermaid in a bubble bath.”
Soon after the clip went viral, the City of Cape Town dismissed the rumours that it was sewage water she was swimming in.
“Claims that the sea foam at Blaauwberg beach and surrounds in Cape Town is a result of sewage or pollution are incorrect,” they said in a statement.
“Water quality samples taken at Big Bay, Small Bay and Table View over the past 12 months showed excellent results.”
They added that sea foam is a natural phenomenon caused by ocean activity, especially strong wave action along the city’s exposed coastline.
With summer upon us, many Capetonians and tourists are rushing to the beaches.
Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis braved the howling winds and icy waters to join Hayward on her usual morning swim.
Clearly freezing, the mayor joined in on the fun and played with the foam.
“Cape Town has 307km of amazing, beautiful coastline, and it is clean and open for everyone to enjoy,” said the mayor after his dip in the ocean.
He added that they publish all the water quality tests on the website on the water quality dashboard and encouraged the public to enjoy the coastline.
“It’s part of what makes Cape Town the best place to live in the world,” he proudly says.
In Cape Town alone, there are eight Blue Flag beaches: Bikini Beach, Camps Bay, Clifton 4th, Fish Hoek, Llandudno, Melkbosstrand, Muizenberg and Silwerstroomstrand.
These beaches meet high standards for water quality, environmental management, safety and accessibility.