Citation: Nsimba, E.A.; Malaza, N.; Marazula, T. Protecting Cape Town’s Groundwater from Fuel Stations: An In-Depth Analysis of Regulatory Requirements. Sustainability 2023, 15, 15135. https://doi.org/10.3390/ su152015135 Academic Editors: Zongjun Gao and Jiutan Liu Received: 14 September 2023 Revised: 12 October 2023 Accepted: 20 October 2023 Published: 22 October 2023 Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). sustainability Article Protecting Cape Town’s Groundwater from Fuel Stations: An In-Depth Analysis of Regulatory Requirements Eden Alexandre Nsimba * , Ntokozo Malaza and Thandazile Marazula Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Corner of Hanover and Tennant Street, Cape Town 8000, South Africa; malazan@cput.ac.za (N.M.) * Correspondence: nsimbaeden@gmail.com Abstract: In the face of mounting water supply challenges, Cape Town has increasingly turned to alternative sources, like groundwater. However, the utilisation of groundwater carries inherent risks, particularly the contamination stemming from land-based activities, such as fuel stations. Leaks from underground tanks at these stations represent a major global cause of groundwater pollution, and Cape Town is no exception. To safeguard public health and mitigate potential harm, it is imperative to examine the legal regulations governing fuel station development, assess measures for controlling their environmental impacts and evaluate strategies for managing the associated risks. This study aims to provide an exhaustive review of the regulatory framework concerning the environmental impacts of fuel stations, focusing on groundwater protection in Cape Town. A combination of desk research and interviews was employed to gather and analyse data. The findings show a deficiency in precautionary measures for safeguarding groundwater near fuel stations. Consequently, through this study, the existing legal framework’s effectiveness is called into question, with this study suggesting actions to address these identified shortcomings. Keywords: groundwater; contamination; legal framework; environmental regulations; fuel station; land-use; Cape Town 1. Introduction Global water resources are facing unprecedented challenges driven by a combination of factors, prominently including climate change and population growth [1]. In addition to these pressures, the contamination of water resources through anthropogenic activities has emerged as a pressing concern [2]. These multifaceted challenges are progressively diminishing the availability of freshwater reserves accessible to human populations, under- scoring the critical need for an effective regulatory system to manage and safeguard these invaluable resources [3]. Several decades ago, policymakers recognised the imperative to enact legislation, regulations and policies aimed at preserving the environment in a holistic sense, with a particular emphasis on water resources [4,5]. However, the efficacy of a legal framework governing environmental concerns can be compromised if it fails to comprehensively address relevant theoretical and practical parameters. These parameters encompass a range of elements, including the implementation of robust mitigation measures to preclude negative environmental impacts [6,7]. The central focus of this study is the examination of fuel stations as potent sources of groundwater contamination. Despite their undeniable socio-economic importance [8,9], fuel stations also engender significant environmental challenges, notably groundwater contamination stemming from leakages in underground storage tanks and associated pipelines [10]. Groundwater pollution originating from fuel stations assumes heightened significance, especially when neighbouring communities rely on groundwater sources for their water supply [11]. This dynamic has been conspicuously observed in the Western Cape province in South Africa, particularly during episodes of Sustainability 2023, 15, 15135. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152015135 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability