E. coli levels at Durban beaches tested

THE Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) conducted water-quality tests at some of Durban’s popular beach destinations on September 21.

The results from the six beaches under evaluation were alarming, with one beach (Glenashley) showing poor levels of E. coli in the water that was sampled and the other five beaches were even more concerning.

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Professor Faizal Bux, director of the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology at DUT, confirmed that five beaches, Addington, Bay of Plenty, Virginia, Umhlanga and Laguna had critical levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the water. “The situation at these five beaches is much more serious, with the water quality being rated as ‘critical’ and the advice from the scientists at the IWWT is that these beaches should not be used for recreational purposes until the E. coli levels drop to acceptable standards,” advised Prof Bux.
According to the IWWT, the results were as follows:

Glenashley Beach – 288
Laguna Beach – 8 664
Umhlnga Beach – 537
Bay of Plenty Beach, Durban Promenade – 644
Virginia Beach – 14 136
Addingnton Beach – 551

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According to the IWWT’s water quality interpretation chart, the E. coli per 100ml should be between 0–130 to score in the ideal range, from 130–200 to score in the acceptable range, from 200 – 400 to score in the poor range and less than 400 to score in the critical range.

The independent water-quality tests are conducted by the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology at DUT in the interest of public safety. The IWWT releases the results in the public interest.

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