EThekwini Municipality has announced that they have taken the decision to close some beaches with immediate effect due to high levels of E-coli in the water.
The decision was taken as a consequence of recent water testing results which confirmed the high levels of E-coli. Municipal spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela said all water activities such as swimming, surfing, fishing, bathing, canoeing, and other activities taking place at City beaches are therefore prohibited. “Beachgoers are urged to heed this warning as disregarding it could result in outbreaks of waterborne diseases. Closed beaches include Westbrook, uMhlanga Main, uMdloti, Casuarina, eThekwini Beach, Laguna Seasonal Beach, Ansteys Beach, Brighton Beach, Isiphingo Beach, Reunion Beach, Warner Beach, Amanzimtoti Main Beach, and Pipeline Beach. Residents can still enjoy other activities along the beach that do not require them to come into contact with sea water,” he said.
Mayisela said that lifeguards and law enforcement officers will be on site to monitor the beaches and ensure the public adheres to the closures. The public will be notified when the beaches are deemed safe to utilise.
“Compounding the threat of waterborne diseases and dangers to wildlife, water testing in Birchwood revealed that tap water does not meet acceptable standards for human consumption. Following remedial work done last month to eradicate suspected contamination, the results for water quality in this area has always come out safe for consumption. The city continuously monitored water quality in the area and tests have revealed that potable water is no longer of good quality. The Municipality is investigating sources of contamination and has so far identified and cleared some pipeline blockages which has reduced the level of contamination. The only area affected is Birchwood and not nearby areas or the entire City. In the meantime, the city has dispatched water tankers. For tap water, residents are urged to first boil for a minute to make it safe for consumption,” he said.
These worrying reports along with those of hundreds of fish dying in the Blue Lagoon area has led the Democratic Alliance in KZN to accuse the government of mismanaging funds and not maintaining infrastructure.
Heinz de Boer, DA KZN spokesperson on Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), said: “Alarmingly, provincial government has shrugged its shoulders at the estimated R4 billion required to repair just sewerage and sanitation infrastructure, destroyed by the recent floods. Meanwhile, it appears that no further progress has been made in holding city managers responsible for the Mahatma Ghandi pump station pollution which sporadically continues to decimate the Durban Harbour. The economic, health and tourism consequences of this governmental blunder is set to decimate our province’s tourism sector. E-coli counts at monitoring stations are now reading into the millions, making it impossible for authorities to open the most popular beaches before the summer holiday season begins. The lackadaisical approach to secure funding is a shocking indication of how little the ANC really cares about environmental protection. This pollution is now allegedly behind the death of at least one person and swathes of fish is a direct indictment against government.”
De Boer added that the DA has also raised concerns over KZN’s various sewerage spills for years and will again demand action at the Environmental Affairs Committee meeting.
