Over the past two weeks, that image above has circulated on social media, and many users wondered what the green liquid running into the ocean on a Sea Point beach actually was.

The general reaction was to suspect that the liquid was toxic coolant, and not the kind of thing you want to be splashing about in the water too close to.

Well, sadly, if that was your guess you were correct. Here’s Cape Talk:

Cape Town resident Dion Oliveira photographed an image of toxic looking bright green liquid running into the ocean on a Sea Point beach and posted it on Facebook.

He received a response from the City who confirmed that it is toxic coolant. The City said it had identified the green liquid as coolant used for commercial building cooling systems and these may also appear in blue and pink. The City says it has identified most of the main manufacturers of this substance, as well as the companies that service commercial buildings systems in the Cape Town area.

These companies are responsible for disposing of excess or used coolant when servicing cooling systems.

It intends engaging with the various companies to make them aware that they are responsible and that it is illegal to discharge this substance into the City’s stormwater system.

You can see Dion’s Facebook post in full here.

Not a great look to have toxic coolant running into the water, right?

Are the businesses responsible for this going to be held accountable in any way? If it’s illegal to dispose of this substance in the City’s stormwater system, then what are the repercussions for breaking that law?

A fine, a slap on the wrist, a stern talking to? I guess we will just have to wait and see.

Oh, an added bonus from a Times LIVE story earlier this morning, with the headline “Clifton beach under attack by turd force”:

A sewage spill at Clifton 1st Beach — near The Bantry‚ where an apartment recently sold for R53.8-million — forced the City of Cape Town to issue a warning on Wednesday that people should stay out of the sea.

“The spill emanated from a sewer blockage at a nearby property and the city’s teams are hoping to repair the blockage as soon as they’re able to gain access to the property‚” a council statement said.

“Any form of full-contact recreational activity such as swimming‚ diving‚ water-skiing‚ surfing‚ paddle-skiing and windsurfing may increase the risk of gastrointestinal problems as well as skin‚ eye‚ ear and respiratory irritations.

“Any person who uses the sea in this area therefore does so at their own risk.”

If it ain’t the toxic coolant, it’s actual human shite.

[source:capetalk]